CVE-2022-27641 in R6700v3
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2023
This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of NETGEAR R6700v3 1.0.4.120_10.0.91 routers. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the NetUSB module. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in an integer overflow before allocating a buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-15806.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2026
The CVE-2022-27641 vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw in NETGEAR R6700v3 routers running firmware version 1.0.4.120_10.0.91. This vulnerability operates at the network-adjacent threat level, meaning attackers do not require physical access or prior authentication to exploit the flaw. The vulnerability specifically resides within the NetUSB module, which is responsible for USB network sharing functionality in the router. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. This insufficient validation creates a condition where an integer overflow occurs during buffer allocation operations, fundamentally compromising the router's memory management system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-defined pattern that aligns with common software security principles and attack methodologies. When user-supplied data is processed by the NetUSB module, the lack of proper integer overflow checks allows an attacker to manipulate the buffer allocation size calculation. This manipulation results in a buffer that is either too small or too large for the intended operation, creating memory corruption conditions that can be leveraged for code execution. The vulnerability's impact extends to the root context of the router system, meaning successful exploitation grants complete administrative control over the device. This represents a severe privilege escalation vulnerability that can be exploited by attackers without any authentication requirements, making it particularly dangerous for network infrastructure devices.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete network compromise scenarios. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, redirect traffic, modify network configurations, or use the compromised router as a pivot point for attacking other devices within the local network. The vulnerability's classification as a CWE-190 integer overflow issue places it within the broader category of memory safety vulnerabilities that have historically led to significant security breaches. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, demonstrating how network-adjacent attackers can leverage such flaws to achieve full system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-27641 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from NETGEAR, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing the integer overflow condition in the NetUSB module. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, particularly in environments where router compromise could lead to broader network infiltration. Additional defensive measures include monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, implementing network access controls to restrict unauthorized access to router management interfaces, and establishing robust network monitoring systems to detect anomalous behavior in affected devices. Organizations should also consider deploying network intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts targeting known vulnerabilities in router firmware, while maintaining awareness of the broader threat landscape surrounding network device vulnerabilities that could enable similar exploitation techniques.