CVE-2021-45658 in D7800
Summary
by MITRE • 12/26/2021
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by server-side injection. This affects D7800 before 1.0.1.58, DM200 before 1.0.0.66, EX2700 before 1.0.1.56, EX6150v2 before 1.0.1.86, EX6100v2 before 1.0.1.86, EX6200v2 before 1.0.1.78, EX6250 before 1.0.0.110, EX6410 before 1.0.0.110, EX6420 before 1.0.0.110, EX6400v2 before 1.0.0.110, EX7300 before 1.0.2.144, EX6400 before 1.0.2.144, EX7320 before 1.0.0.110, EX7300v2 before 1.0.0.110, R7500v2 before 1.0.3.48, R7800 before 1.0.2.68, R8900 before 1.0.5.2, R9000 before 1.0.5.2, RAX120 before 1.0.1.90, RBK40 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, RBS50Y before 2.6.1.40, WN3000RPv2 before 1.0.0.78, WN3000RPv3 before 1.0.2.80, WNR2000v5 before 1.0.0.72, XR500 before 2.3.2.56, and XR700 before 1.0.1.20.
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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, categorized under CWE-94 as improper control of generation of code. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious code into the device's server-side processing functions, potentially enabling remote code execution and complete system compromise. The affected devices span multiple product lines including the D7800, EX series, R7500v2, R8900, R9000, and various RAX, RBK, RBR, and RBS models. The vulnerability exists in the web interface processing logic where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being used in server-side operations. This injection can occur through various parameters in the device's HTTP requests, allowing an attacker to manipulate the device's behavior and potentially gain unauthorized access to the network. The affected firmware versions indicate that this vulnerability has persisted across multiple generations of devices, suggesting a fundamental flaw in the device's input validation mechanisms. The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to complete device compromise, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code, modify device configurations, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1071.004 for application layer protocols, as attackers can leverage the injection to establish persistent access and communicate through the device's network interfaces. The widespread impact across different device models and firmware versions demonstrates a systemic security weakness in NETGEAR's implementation of input validation and code generation processes. The vulnerability's severity is compounded by the fact that many of these devices are deployed in residential and small business environments where network security is often insufficiently configured, making them attractive targets for exploitation. Organizations should prioritize immediate firmware updates to address this vulnerability, as the injection capability provides attackers with extensive control over affected devices. The remediation process requires careful attention to ensure that all affected devices are updated to versions that properly sanitize input parameters and implement robust server-side validation mechanisms to prevent code injection attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the device's web server components. When users interact with the device's web interface, various parameters are processed server-side without proper validation or encoding of user-supplied input. This creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious payloads that can be executed within the device's processing environment. The vulnerability affects the device's ability to properly distinguish between legitimate user input and potentially harmful code fragments, allowing attackers to manipulate the device's normal operation through carefully crafted requests. The specific nature of the injection allows for code execution at the privilege level of the web server process, which typically has significant access to the device's file system and network interfaces. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without requiring physical access to the device, making it a prime target for automated scanning and exploitation tools. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a server-side request forgery or code injection attack vector, where the device itself becomes a conduit for malicious activity. The affected product lines span a wide range of networking equipment, from basic routers to enterprise-grade devices, indicating that the vulnerability is not limited to specific device categories but affects the fundamental software architecture across NETGEAR's product portfolio. This widespread impact suggests that the vulnerability exists in shared code components or development practices that were not properly secured against injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise to potentially enable broader network infiltration and persistent threats. Once exploited, attackers can use compromised devices as entry points for lateral movement within networks, leveraging the devices' network connectivity to access other systems. The vulnerability can be exploited through standard web browser interactions, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise. The affected devices typically serve as network gateways, making them critical points of compromise for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to entire network segments. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete loss of device control, allowing attackers to modify firewall rules, redirect traffic, or even use the device for malicious activities such as distributed denial-of-service attacks. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues if devices with this vulnerability are part of critical infrastructure or handling sensitive data. The vulnerability's presence across multiple firmware versions suggests that NETGEAR may have failed to implement proper security testing or code review processes during development cycles. The remediation effort requires systematic identification of all affected devices and coordinated updates to ensure complete protection. Network administrators should implement monitoring for unusual network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the injection can be used to establish covert communication channels. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in embedded systems, as the same issues that affect enterprise applications can also affect consumer networking equipment. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other devices that may be vulnerable to similar injection attacks. The long-term security posture of affected networks depends on proper implementation of the firmware updates and continued vigilance against similar vulnerabilities in other network components.