CVE-2021-45622 in CBR40
Summary
by MITRE • 12/26/2021
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an unauthenticated attacker. This affects CBR40 before 2.5.0.24, CBR750 before 4.6.3.6, EAX20 before 1.0.0.58, EAX80 before 1.0.1.68, EX7500 before 1.0.0.74, LAX20 before 1.1.6.28, MK62 before 1.0.6.116, MR60 before 1.0.6.116, MS60 before 1.0.6.116, R6400 before 1.0.1.70, R6400v2 before 1.0.4.118, R6700v3 before 1.0.4.118, R6900P before 1.3.3.140, R7000 before 1.0.11.116, R7000P before 1.3.3.140, R7850 before 1.0.5.68, R7900 before 1.0.4.38, R7900P before 1.4.2.84, R7960P before 1.4.2.84, R8000 before 1.0.4.68, R8000P before 1.4.2.84, RAX15 before 1.0.3.96, RAX20 before 1.0.3.96, RAX200 before 1.0.4.120, RAX35v2 before 1.0.3.96, RAX40v2 before 1.0.3.96, RAX43 before 1.0.3.96, RAX45 before 1.0.3.96, RAX50 before 1.0.3.96, RAX75 before 1.0.4.120, RAX80 before 1.0.4.120, RBK752 before 3.2.17.12, RBK852 before 3.2.17.12, RBR750 before 3.2.17.12, RBR850 before 3.2.17.12, RBS750 before 3.2.17.12, RBS850 before 3.2.17.12, RS400 before 1.5.1.80, XR1000 before 1.0.0.58, and XR300 before 1.0.3.68.
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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 unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected devices. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation in the web interface handling of specific parameters, enabling attackers to inject malicious commands that are then executed with the privileges of the web server process. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection flaws where attacker-supplied data is used to construct shell commands without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms. The affected devices span multiple product lines including routers, access points, and wireless bridges, indicating a widespread issue that affects both consumer and enterprise networking equipment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the web administration interface of affected NETGEAR devices, where unvalidated user input is directly incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization. Attackers can craft malicious HTTP requests that contain shell commands within parameters such as the 'action' or 'command' fields, which are then processed by the device's underlying operating system. This allows for complete compromise of the affected device, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code, modify device configurations, access network traffic, or even escalate privileges to gain root access on the device. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication, making it accessible to anyone who can reach the device's web interface over the network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted across enterprise and consumer networks. Compromised devices can serve as entry points for broader network infiltration, allowing attackers to establish persistent access, conduct man-in-the-middle attacks, or redirect network traffic through malicious DNS servers. The vulnerability affects devices that are often deployed in residential and small office environments where security monitoring may be limited, creating potential for widespread exploitation. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1021.001 for remote services, as attackers can leverage the compromised devices for lateral movement and remote access. Organizations using affected devices face risks of data exfiltration, network disruption, and potential use as botnet nodes for distributed denial-of-service attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from NETGEAR, which address the input validation issues through proper sanitization of user-supplied parameters. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to device management interfaces, particularly from untrusted networks. Organizations should also consider disabling web administration interfaces when not actively needed and implement network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework's identify and protect functions, requiring organizations to maintain inventories of affected devices and implement protective measures against known vulnerabilities. Regular vulnerability assessments and network scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining unpatched devices within the network infrastructure.