CVE-2021-45656 in D6200
Summary
by MITRE • 12/26/2021
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by server-side injection. This affects D6200 before 1.1.00.38, D7000 before 1.0.1.78, R6020 before 1.0.0.48, R6080 before 1.0.0.48, R6050 before 1.0.1.26, JR6150 before 1.0.1.26, R6120 before 1.0.0.66, R6220 before 1.1.0.100, R6230 before 1.1.0.100, R6260 before 1.1.0.78, R6800 before 1.2.0.76, R6900v2 before 1.2.0.76, R6700v2 before 1.2.0.76, R7450 before 1.2.0.76, AC2100 before 1.2.0.76, AC2400 before 1.2.0.76, AC2600 before 1.2.0.76, RBK40 before 2.5.1.16, RBR40 before 2.5.1.16, RBS40 before 2.5.1.16, RBK20 before 2.5.1.16, RBR20 before 2.5.1.16, RBS20 before 2.5.1.16, RBK50 before 2.5.1.16, RBR50 before 2.5.1.16, RBS50 before 2.5.1.16, and RBS50Y before 2.6.1.40.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical server-side injection flaw affecting numerous NETGEAR wireless routers and networking devices, classified under CWE-94 as "Improper Control of Generation of Code" and aligned with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command injection. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the web interface of affected devices, allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system through maliciously crafted HTTP requests. The affected models span across multiple product lines including D6200, D7000, R6020, R6080, and various R-series routers, with specific firmware version thresholds indicating the scope of impacted devices.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when attackers submit specially crafted payloads to the device's web management interface, bypassing normal authentication mechanisms. The injection occurs in parameters that are processed server-side without proper sanitization, enabling attackers to inject OS commands that execute with the privileges of the web server process. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for remote code execution, privilege escalation, and potential network compromise. The vulnerability affects devices running firmware versions prior to the specified thresholds, indicating that NETGEAR has released patches to address this issue in newer releases.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over affected devices. Attackers can potentially install malware, modify network configurations, redirect traffic, or use the compromised devices as entry points for broader network infiltration. The vulnerability affects both wired and wireless networking capabilities, potentially disrupting network services and creating persistent backdoors. Organizations relying on these devices for network infrastructure face significant risks including data exfiltration, man-in-the-middle attacks, and unauthorized access to connected systems.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate firmware updates to the latest available versions for all affected device models, as these updates contain patches specifically designed to address the input validation flaws. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to device management interfaces, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. Regular security audits should verify that all devices have been updated and that no unauthorized changes have occurred. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual traffic patterns or command execution attempts provides an additional layer of defense. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary services and ensuring that default credentials are changed across all affected devices to minimize attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and proper input validation in embedded systems, aligning with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-128 and ISO/IEC 27030 standards for network device security.