CVE-2023-34284 in RAX30
Summary
by MITRE • 05/03/2024
NETGEAR RAX30 Use of Hard-coded Credentials Authentication Bypass Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to bypass authentication on affected installations of NETGEAR RAX30 routers. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the system configuration. The system contains a hardcoded user account which can be used to access the CLI service as a low-privileged user. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to bypass authentication on the system. Was ZDI-CAN-19660.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2025
The CVE-2023-34284 vulnerability represents a critical authentication bypass issue affecting NETGEAR RAX30 routers, classified under CWE-798 as the use of hard-coded credentials. This vulnerability resides in the system configuration of affected devices and demonstrates a fundamental flaw in secure credential management practices. The flaw manifests through a hardcoded user account that grants access to the Command Line Interface service, effectively creating an unauthorized entry point for malicious actors. Security researchers identified this weakness as a significant risk to network security, particularly given that the vulnerability does not require authentication to exploit, making it exceptionally dangerous for network-adjacent attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper secure coding practices where developers embedded hardcoded credentials within the router firmware during the development phase. These credentials are typically stored in plain text or easily reversible formats within system binaries or configuration files. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can leverage the hardcoded account to gain access to the CLI service, which operates at a low-privileged user level but provides sufficient access to perform malicious activities. The attack vector requires only network adjacency, meaning that an attacker positioned within the same network segment as the vulnerable router can exploit this without requiring additional authentication mechanisms or complex attack chains.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on NETGEAR RAX30 routers for network security. The authentication bypass allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the CLI interface, potentially enabling them to modify router configurations, redirect network traffic, or establish persistent access points. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers legitimate credentials and T1059.004 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage the compromised account to execute system commands. The low-privileged nature of the hardcoded account does not limit the potential damage, as attackers can escalate privileges through various exploitation techniques or use the access to pivot to other network resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-34284 should focus on immediate firmware updates from NETGEAR to address the hardcoded credential issue. Organizations must also implement network segmentation to limit adjacent attack surfaces and monitor for unauthorized access attempts to router management interfaces. Network administrators should disable unnecessary services and interfaces, particularly those that expose CLI access to untrusted networks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper credential management practices and adherence to security standards such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-53 for secure configuration management. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their network infrastructure to identify similar hardcoded credential issues in other network devices, as this represents a common pattern in vulnerable embedded systems and IoT devices.