CVE-2021-45595 in LBR20
Summary
by MITRE • 12/26/2021
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an authenticated user. This affects LBR20 before 2.6.3.50, RBS50Y before 2.7.3.22, RBR10 before 2.7.3.22, RBR20 before 2.7.3.22, RBR40 before 2.7.3.22, RBR50 before 2.7.3.22, RBS10 before 2.7.3.22, RBS20 before 2.7.3.22, RBS40 before 2.7.3.22, RBS50 before 2.7.3.22, RBK12 before 2.7.3.22, RBK20 before 2.7.3.22, RBK40 before 2.7.3.22, and RBK50 before 2.7.3.22.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-45595 represents a critical command injection flaw affecting multiple NETGEAR networking devices within the wireless router and broadband router product lines. This vulnerability specifically impacts devices running firmware versions prior to the mentioned patches, creating a significant security risk for organizations and individuals who rely on these network infrastructure components. The flaw allows authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands on the affected devices, potentially enabling full system compromise and unauthorized access to network resources.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the device's web interface handling mechanisms. When authenticated users submit specific input parameters through the management interface, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape these inputs before processing them within system commands. This lack of proper input validation creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious commands that are then executed with the privileges of the web server process, typically running with administrative privileges on the device. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, which specifically address command injection and code injection flaws respectively, both of which are classified as high-risk vulnerabilities in the Common Weakness Enumeration database. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a command injection technique under the T1059.001 sub-technique, where adversaries leverage system interfaces to execute malicious commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected network devices. Once exploited, an authenticated attacker can potentially gain access to the device's underlying operating system, modify network configurations, redirect traffic, install malicious software, or use the device as a pivot point to attack other systems within the network. The affected product lines include a broad range of NETGEAR routers and broadband routers, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple device categories. These devices typically serve as the primary gateway for network traffic, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access to corporate or residential networks. The vulnerability's authentication requirement does not significantly reduce its impact, as gaining initial access to network management interfaces often requires only basic credentials, which may be weak or default passwords commonly found in unsecured environments.
Organizations and users must implement immediate remediation measures to address this vulnerability. The primary mitigation strategy involves applying the firmware updates released by NETGEAR, specifically targeting the versions mentioned in the CVE description. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected devices within their network infrastructure, particularly those accessible from external networks or exposed to untrusted users. Network segmentation strategies should be implemented to limit access to management interfaces, while strong authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication should be enforced. Regular vulnerability scanning and network monitoring should be conducted to identify any unauthorized access attempts or unusual network behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing network access controls to restrict administrative access to these devices, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access management interfaces. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and implementing robust network security practices to prevent unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components.