CVE-2021-45556 in GS108Tv2
Summary
by MITRE • 12/26/2021
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an authenticated user. This affects GS108Tv2 before 5.4.2.36, GS110TPP before 7.0.7.2, GS110TPv2 before 5.4.2.36., GS110TPv3 before 7.0.7.2, GS308T before 1.0.3.2, GS310TP before 1.0.3.2, GS724TPP before 2.0.6.3, GS724TPv2 before 2.0.6.3, GS728TPPv2 before 6.0.8.2, GS728TPv2 before 6.0.8.2, GS752TPP before 6.0.8.2, GS752TPv2 before 6.0.8.2, MS510TXM before 1.0.4.2, and MS510TXUP before 1.0.4.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw that allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected NETGEAR network devices. The vulnerability affects multiple models within the GS and MS series, spanning various firmware versions and device types. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the device management interfaces, specifically in the handling of user-supplied parameters that are subsequently processed by the underlying operating system. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection issues where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user submits malicious input through the device's web interface or management protocols. The vulnerable devices fail to properly validate or escape user inputs before incorporating them into system commands, creating a path for arbitrary code execution. This allows an attacker who has gained access to legitimate user credentials to escalate privileges and execute commands with the same privileges as the device's administrative interface. The impact is particularly severe because network administrators often use these devices for critical infrastructure management, making them prime targets for attackers seeking persistent access to network environments.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to network security and integrity. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to network devices, potentially leading to complete network compromise. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute commands such as modifying device configurations, installing backdoors, or redirecting network traffic. The affected devices include managed switches that serve as core network infrastructure components, meaning a successful exploitation could allow attackers to disrupt network services, monitor traffic, or establish persistent access points within the network. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter, and T1078 which addresses valid accounts for maintaining access.
The affected device models span multiple generations and product lines, indicating a systemic issue within NETGEAR's firmware development practices. The vulnerability affects both Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching equipment, including managed and unmanaged switches across various form factors. The specific firmware versions listed show that this issue has persisted across multiple releases, suggesting inadequate security testing or code review processes during the development lifecycle. Organizations should immediately implement patch management procedures to update all affected devices to their latest firmware versions, which contain the necessary input validation fixes. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit the scope of potential exploitation, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous command execution patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in embedded systems and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.