CVE-2023-2394 in SRX5308
Summary
by MITRE • 04/29/2023
A vulnerability was found in Netgear SRX5308 up to 4.3.5-3. It has been rated as problematic. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component Web Management Interface. The manipulation of the argument wanName leads to cross site scripting. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-227672. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2394 affects the Netgear SRX5308 firewall device running firmware versions up to 4.3.5-3, representing a significant security weakness in the device's web management interface component. This cross-site scripting vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the web interface, specifically when processing the wanName parameter, which allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability has been classified as problematic due to its potential for remote exploitation and the fact that a public exploit has already been disclosed, making it immediately actionable by threat actors.
The technical flaw manifests through the web management interface's insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters, particularly the wanName argument that is processed within the device's administrative web portal. When a malicious actor crafts a specially formatted request containing script code within the wanName parameter, this code gets executed in the context of other users who view the affected web interface. This represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability categorized under CWE-79, which specifically addresses the improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that an attacker does not require physical access to the device or network connectivity to the device's management interface to carry out the attack, as the malicious payload can be delivered through various attack vectors including phishing emails, compromised websites, or direct web interface manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can potentially enable attackers to perform unauthorized actions within the device's management interface, steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute arbitrary commands on the device. The device's role as a network security appliance makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to compromise the entire network security posture. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure attempts creates a significant risk for organizations that have not yet patched or mitigated the vulnerability, as they remain exposed to potential exploitation without official support or guidance from Netgear.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including network segmentation to isolate the affected device, disabling remote management access where possible, and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting the vulnerable web interface. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, which represents a common attack pattern where adversaries target web applications to gain initial access or escalate privileges within a network environment. Regular firmware updates and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to prevent similar issues, and administrators should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts in network logs, particularly around web interface access patterns and unusual parameter inputs. The vulnerability's disclosure status and the lack of vendor response highlight the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and having contingency plans for unpatched vulnerabilities in critical network infrastructure components.