CVE-2021-45549 in LAX20
Summary
by MITRE • 12/26/2021
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an authenticated user. This affects LAX20 before 1.1.6.28, MK62 before 1.1.6.122, MR60 before 1.1.6.122, MS60 before 1.1.6.122, R6400v2 before 1.0.4.118, R6700v3 before 1.0.4.118, R6900P before 1.3.3.140, R7000 before 1.0.11.116, R7000P before 1.3.3.140, R7850 before 1.0.5.68, R7900 before 1.0.4.38, R7900P before 1.4.2.84, R7960P before 1.4.2.84, R8000 before 1.0.4.68, R8000P before 1.4.2.84, RAX15 before 1.0.3.96, RAX20 before 1.0.3.96, RAX200 before 1.0.4.120, RAX35v2 before 1.0.3.96, RAX40v2 before 1.0.3.96, RAX43 before 1.0.3.96, RAX45 before 1.0.3.96, RAX50 before 1.0.3.96, RAX75 before 1.0.4.120, RAX80 before 1.0.4.120, RS400 before 1.5.1.80, and XR1000 before 1.0.0.58.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw in NETGEAR networking equipment that allows authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands on affected devices. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the device's web interface handling mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious command execution. The vulnerability affects a broad range of NETGEAR routers and access points across multiple product lines, including popular models like the R7900P, R7000P, and various RAX series devices. The affected versions span multiple firmware releases, indicating this was a widespread issue that required coordinated patching efforts across the entire product portfolio. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate security controls in network device management interfaces. The flaw allows an attacker who has already gained authentication credentials to escalate their privileges and execute system-level commands, potentially leading to complete device compromise and network infiltration.
The technical implementation of this command injection vulnerability occurs within the web-based management interface of the affected devices, where user-supplied input is improperly handled during processing of network configuration parameters. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious input that gets interpreted as shell commands rather than standard data, bypassing normal security controls. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category, specifically command injection, which is classified as a high-severity weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The vulnerability operates through the web interface authentication mechanism, meaning that any user with valid credentials can potentially exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have access to device management interfaces. The attack vector typically involves manipulating form fields, URL parameters, or API calls that are processed by the device's underlying operating system, allowing for arbitrary command execution with the privileges of the web server process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple device compromise, as it provides attackers with complete control over affected networking equipment and potentially the entire network segment they manage. Successful exploitation can enable attackers to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, install malware, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The affected devices represent critical network infrastructure components that form the backbone of many enterprise and residential networks, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from a supply chain security perspective. Organizations with multiple affected devices face the challenge of identifying all vulnerable endpoints and applying patches across a diverse range of hardware models. The vulnerability also increases the attack surface for lateral movement within networks, as compromised devices can serve as launching points for further attacks against other network resources. Network monitoring systems may not immediately detect this type of attack since the executed commands can appear as legitimate administrative activities, complicating detection efforts and increasing the potential for prolonged compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected devices to the latest firmware versions provided by NETGEAR. Organizations should implement comprehensive inventory management to identify all affected devices within their network infrastructure and prioritize patching based on risk assessment. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the number of users with administrative privileges to the affected devices. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network equipment and systems. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to ensure compatibility and prevent service disruption. Network administrators should also implement monitoring solutions specifically designed to detect anomalous command execution patterns and unusual network behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Given the nature of this vulnerability, organizations should consider implementing network access controls and firewall rules to restrict access to device management interfaces from untrusted networks, reducing the attack surface for authenticated exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in embedded network device software development, reinforcing the need for regular security reviews and code audits to prevent similar issues in future releases.