CVE-2021-45592 in RBK752
Summary
by MITRE • 12/26/2021
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an authenticated user. This affects RBK752 before 3.2.16.6, RBR750 before 3.2.16.6, RBS750 before 3.2.16.6, RBK852 before 3.2.16.6, RBR850 before 3.2.16.6, and RBS850 before 3.2.16.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2021-45592 represents a critical command injection flaw affecting multiple NETGEAR router models including RBK752, RBR750, RBS750, RBK852, RBR850, and RBS850. This issue stems from insufficient input validation within the device management interfaces, allowing authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected systems. The vulnerability specifically impacts firmware versions prior to 3.2.16.6 across these router models, creating a significant security risk for organizations and consumers relying on these networking devices for their infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this command injection vulnerability occurs through improper sanitization of user-supplied input within the web-based management interface of these routers. When an authenticated user submits malicious input through specific parameters, the system fails to properly validate or escape the input before processing it within the command execution context. This allows attackers to inject operating system commands that are then executed with the privileges of the web server process, typically running with elevated system privileges. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-89, which classify command injection and SQL injection respectively, though this case specifically involves operating system command execution rather than database queries.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates severe implications for network security and device integrity. An authenticated attacker with access to the router's web interface can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary commands on the device, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attacker could gain access to sensitive configuration data, modify network settings, establish backdoors, or redirect traffic through the compromised router. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where these routers serve as critical network infrastructure components, potentially providing attackers with a foothold for lateral movement or as a pivot point for attacking other network segments. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potential network-wide disruption and data exfiltration capabilities.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2021-45592 involves immediate firmware updates to version 3.2.16.6 or later for all affected NETGEAR router models. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected devices within their network infrastructure and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit the scope of potential exploitation, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to router management interfaces. Additionally, monitoring for unusual network behavior or unauthorized configuration changes can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems that can identify command injection patterns and other suspicious activities targeting network infrastructure devices. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular firmware updates and proper input validation in network device security, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access through network infrastructure compromise.