CVE-2022-46422 in WNR2000
Summary
by MITRE • 12/20/2022
An issue in Netgear WNR2000 v1 1.2.3.7 and earlier allows authenticated attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via uploading a crafted firmware image during the firmware update process.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-46422 affects Netgear WNR2000 v1 routers running firmware versions 1.2.3.7 and earlier, presenting a significant security risk that enables authenticated attackers to induce a denial of service condition. This flaw manifests during the firmware update process when the device fails to properly validate uploaded firmware images, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted firmware uploads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the firmware update mechanism of the affected Netgear device, where insufficient input validation occurs during the firmware image processing phase. When an authenticated user uploads a specially crafted firmware image, the system does not adequately sanitize or verify the image contents before attempting to install it. This lack of proper validation allows the system to encounter malformed or malicious data that causes the device to crash or become unresponsive, effectively rendering the network infrastructure unavailable to legitimate users.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it compromises the availability of critical network infrastructure. The authenticated nature of the attack means that an attacker must first establish valid credentials, typically through a successful login or by exploiting other authentication bypass vulnerabilities. Once authenticated, the attacker can leverage this weakness to cause persistent service degradation, potentially requiring manual intervention to restore normal operations through device reboot or recovery procedures.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a classic example of how insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data can lead to system instability. From an adversarial standpoint, this flaw provides attackers with a straightforward method to disrupt network services without requiring sophisticated exploitation techniques. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates within the legitimate firmware update functionality, making it difficult to distinguish from normal administrative activities. This characteristic increases the potential for undetected exploitation and prolonged service disruption.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Netgear to address the vulnerability, network segmentation to limit access to administrative functions, and monitoring of firmware update activities for suspicious behavior. The device should be configured with strong authentication mechanisms and access controls, with administrative functions restricted to trusted personnel only. Additionally, implementing network-based intrusion detection systems can help identify and alert on unusual firmware update patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network infrastructure components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in all system components. The incident underscores the critical need for robust firmware validation processes and highlights the potential consequences of inadequate security measures in network infrastructure devices.