CVE-2022-41545 in C7800
Summary
by MITRE • 02/18/2025
The administrative web interface of a Netgear C7800 Router running firmware version 6.01.07 (and possibly others) authenticates users via basic authentication, with an HTTP header containing a base64 value of the plaintext username and password. Because the web server also does not utilize transport security by default, this renders the administrative credentials vulnerable to eavesdropping by an adversary during every authenticated request made by a client to the router over a WLAN, or a LAN, should the adversary be able to perform a man-in-the-middle attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-41545 affects the Netgear C7800 router model operating with firmware version 6.01.07 and potentially other versions. This issue stems from a fundamental flaw in the router's administrative web interface authentication mechanism that creates a significant security risk for network administrators and users. The vulnerability represents a classic case of weak authentication implementation where sensitive credentials are transmitted in an easily decipherable format, making the device particularly susceptible to interception attacks.
The technical flaw manifests through the router's use of basic authentication with HTTP headers containing base64 encoded plaintext credentials. This implementation violates established security principles and standards such as those outlined in CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling. The base64 encoding is not encryption but merely obfuscation, as it can be easily decoded by any attacker who intercepts the network traffic. This approach directly contravenes the recommendations in the NIST SP 800-57 standard for cryptographic key management and authentication protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with complete administrative access to the router's configuration interface. This access enables adversaries to modify network settings, implement malicious configurations, disable security features, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects both wireless and wired network connections, meaning that even if users attempt to secure their administrative sessions through wired connections, the risk remains present. According to ATT&CK framework tactic T1071.004, this vulnerability facilitates network protocol manipulation and can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to network infrastructure components.
The absence of transport security by default on the web server creates a perfect storm for exploitation, as it allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks without requiring additional network compromise steps. This configuration means that all administrative requests, whether initiated over WLAN or LAN connections, are vulnerable to eavesdropping. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that many users may not be aware of the security implications of using basic authentication without encryption, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where router security is often overlooked.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper transport layer security through the use of HTTPS encryption, which would prevent the interception of authentication credentials. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional access controls such as firewall rules to restrict administrative access to specific IP addresses or ranges. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices outlined in NIST guidelines and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for network security management. Regular firmware updates and security audits should be implemented to ensure that such authentication flaws are identified and corrected before they can be exploited by malicious actors. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect unusual administrative access patterns that might indicate credential compromise.