CVE-2021-45554 in R6400
Summary
by MITRE • 12/26/2021
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an authenticated user. This affects R6400 before 1.0.1.74, R6400v2 before 1.0.4.118, R6700v3 before 1.0.4.118, R7000 before 1.0.11.126, R6900P before 1.3.3.140, R7000P before 1.3.3.140, and R8000 before 1.0.4.74.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw in NETGEAR router firmware that allows authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands on affected devices. The issue stems from improper input validation within the web administration interface of multiple router models, creating a pathway for privilege escalation through authenticated command execution. The affected devices include several popular NETGEAR router models including R6400, R6400v2, R6700v3, R7000, R6900P, R7000P, and R8000, all of which have specific version thresholds where the vulnerability exists. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-77, which specifically addresses command injection flaws in software applications. The authenticated nature of this vulnerability means that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to exploit the flaw, typically through social engineering, credential reuse, or other initial compromise techniques. However, once authenticated, the attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute system commands with the privileges of the web interface user, potentially leading to full device compromise and unauthorized network access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it can enable attackers to manipulate network configurations, redirect traffic, install malicious software, or establish persistent backdoors on the affected routers. Since these devices serve as network gateways and often control critical network functions, successful exploitation could result in complete network compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of network services. The vulnerability affects firmware versions that were widely deployed in both residential and small business environments, making the potential attack surface substantial. Network attackers could use this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to internal networks, potentially enabling further lateral movement and reconnaissance activities. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries use legitimate system tools to execute commands. The affected firmware versions indicate that this vulnerability has existed for an extended period, suggesting that many devices may remain unpatched in production environments, creating ongoing security risks for organizations and individuals using these devices.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate firmware updates from NETGEAR to address the command injection flaw in affected router models. Network administrators should prioritize updating all affected devices to the latest firmware versions, which include proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent command injection attacks. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact if devices are compromised. Regular security assessments and firmware monitoring should be established to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in network infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious command execution patterns and ensure that authentication credentials are properly secured. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in network device firmware development, as well as the critical need for regular security updates and patch management processes in enterprise environments. This particular vulnerability demonstrates how authenticated command injection in network infrastructure devices can create significant security risks that require immediate attention and remediation.