CVE-2021-45594 in RBS50Y
Summary
by MITRE • 12/26/2021
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an authenticated user. This affects RBS50Y before 2.7.3.22, RBR20 before 2.7.3.22, RBR40 before 2.7.3.22, RBR50 before 2.7.3.22, RBS20 before 2.7.3.22, RBS40 before 2.7.3.22, RBS50 before 2.7.3.22, RBK20 before 2.7.3.22, RBK40 before 2.7.3.22, and RBK50 before 2.7.3.22.
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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 impacts a wide range of NETGEAR routers and wireless access points including models RBS50Y, RBR20, RBR40, RBR50, RBS20, RBS40, RBS50, RBK20, RBK40, and RBK50. These devices are vulnerable when running firmware versions prior to 2.7.3.22, making them susceptible to exploitation by individuals who have gained legitimate access credentials. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the device's web interface and management protocols, allowing malicious command sequences to be injected and executed with elevated privileges.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-77, which describes command injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization. Attackers with valid authentication credentials can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary shell commands on the affected devices, potentially gaining complete control over the network infrastructure. The authenticated nature of the attack means that the threat actor must first obtain legitimate login credentials, which could be achieved through various means including credential stuffing, phishing attacks, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities in the network. Once authenticated, the attacker can manipulate input fields within the device management interface to inject malicious commands that are then executed by the underlying operating system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, establish backdoors, or even use the compromised devices as launching points for attacks against other systems within the network. This represents a significant risk to network security and can lead to data breaches, service disruption, and potential compromise of the entire network infrastructure. The affected devices typically serve as critical network components, including routers, wireless access points, and network switches, making their compromise particularly damaging to organizational security posture. The vulnerability also impacts the principle of least privilege, as authenticated users can escalate their privileges beyond what is normally expected.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates to versions 2.7.3.22 or later, which contain patches addressing the command injection vulnerability. Network administrators should also implement strict access controls and monitor for unusual authentication patterns or command execution attempts. Additional security measures include network segmentation to limit the impact of potential compromise, regular security audits of network devices, and implementation of intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activity. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly in web interfaces that handle user-provided data. Organizations should consider implementing network access control lists, disabling unnecessary services, and regularly reviewing device configurations to minimize potential attack surfaces. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping network infrastructure devices updated with the latest security patches and maintaining comprehensive security monitoring programs to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts.