CVE-2021-45732 in Nighthawk R6700
Summary
by MITRE • 12/31/2021
Netgear Nighthawk R6700 version 1.0.4.120 makes use of a hardcoded credential. It does not appear that normal users are intended to be able to manipulate configuration backups due to the fact that they are encrypted/obfuscated. By extracting the configuration using readily available public tools, a user can reconfigure settings not intended to be manipulated, repackage the configuration, and restore a backup causing these settings to be changed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-45732 affects Netgear Nighthawk R6700 routers running firmware version 1.0.4.120 and represents a critical security flaw involving hardcoded credentials that undermines the device's configuration integrity. This issue stems from the implementation of static authentication credentials within the router's firmware, creating a persistent backdoor that allows unauthorized users to access and manipulate the device's configuration settings. The presence of hardcoded credentials violates fundamental security principles and creates a significant attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors without requiring sophisticated techniques or privileged access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the router's handling of configuration backups and restoration processes. While the system appears to employ encryption or obfuscation for configuration data to prevent casual access, the hardcoded credentials provide a bypass mechanism that allows attackers to extract, modify, and repackage configuration files using publicly available tools. This process enables attackers to manipulate settings that should remain protected from user modification, effectively undermining the router's security controls and configuration management integrity. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be categorized under CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded credentials in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete configuration manipulation and potential network compromise. Attackers can exploit this weakness to modify network settings, alter firewall rules, change administrative credentials, or implement malicious configurations that could redirect traffic, disable security features, or establish persistent access points. The ability to restore modified configurations means that these changes can be made permanent, effectively compromising the device's security posture and potentially creating a foothold for broader network infiltration. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials in cloud environments, though in this case it involves hardcoded credentials rather than stolen ones.
Security implications of CVE-2021-45732 are particularly concerning given the router's role as a network gateway device. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers who gain physical access to the device or who can perform network-based attacks against the router's management interfaces. Network administrators who rely on the router's configuration for security policies and network segmentation may find their protections compromised, as attackers can modify critical network parameters without detection. The presence of hardcoded credentials also means that this vulnerability exists across all affected devices regardless of user configurations or network environments, making it a widespread concern for organizations deploying these routers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from Netgear, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this hardcoded credential issue. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to router management interfaces, disable unnecessary services, and monitor for unauthorized configuration changes. Network administrators should consider implementing additional authentication controls and regularly audit router configurations to detect any unauthorized modifications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper credential management and the necessity of avoiding hardcoded credentials in network infrastructure devices, aligning with industry best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001 security frameworks that emphasize the protection of authentication credentials and the prevention of hardcoding sensitive information in software applications.