CVE-2023-38921 in WG302v2
Summary
by MITRE • 08/07/2023
Netgear WG302v2 v5.2.9 and WAG302v2 v5.1.19 were discovered to contain multiple command injection vulnerabilities in the upgrade_handler function via the firmwareRestore and firmwareServerip parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-38921 affects Netgear wireless gateway devices including the WG302v2 model running firmware version 5.2.9 and WAG302v2 model running version 5.1.19. This issue represents a critical command injection vulnerability that resides within the upgrade_handler function of the affected devices' web interface. The vulnerability specifically manifests through improper input validation of the firmwareRestore and firmwareServerip parameters, which are utilized during firmware upgrade operations. These parameters are processed without adequate sanitization or validation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on the affected devices. The flaw stems from the device's failure to properly escape or filter user-supplied input before incorporating it into system commands, a weakness that aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-89 categories. This vulnerability directly impacts the device's security posture by allowing unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges and execute malicious code on the target system. The operational impact extends beyond simple command execution as it can enable full device compromise, potentially leading to persistent backdoor access, data exfiltration, or use as a pivot point for attacking other devices on the network. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install malicious firmware, redirect traffic, or disable security features, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise or home network environments where these devices often serve as gateways to broader network infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be achieved through web-based attacks targeting the device's administrative interface. Network-based attacks could potentially be executed without requiring authentication if the device's web interface is accessible from untrusted networks, though this depends on the specific network configuration and firewall rules in place. This issue demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input validation and command construction practices within the device's firmware, highlighting the need for proper security coding practices and input sanitization. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-77 and CWE-89 reflects the core security weakness of allowing command injection through improper input handling, which is a well-documented pattern in embedded systems and network device firmware development. Organizations using these affected Netgear devices should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates from Netgear, network segmentation to isolate these devices, and monitoring for suspicious network activity. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, emphasizing the multi-layered attack potential that stems from this single vulnerability. Given the widespread deployment of these devices in both residential and commercial environments, the impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple threat actors and attack scenarios, making prompt remediation essential for maintaining network security.