CVE-2023-50677 in DGND4000
Summary
by MITRE • 03/15/2024
An issue in NETGEAR-DGND4000 v.1.1.00.15_1.00.15 allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via the next_file parameter to the /setup.cgi component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-50677 resides within the NETGEAR DGND4000 router firmware version 1.1.00.15_1.00.15 and represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that can be exploited remotely. This issue affects the web-based management interface of the device through the /setup.cgi component, specifically targeting the next_file parameter which lacks proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. The affected device operates with a default administrative account that can be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to network resources.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter validation within the router's web interface implementation. When an attacker submits a crafted next_file parameter to the /setup.cgi endpoint, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before processing it. This insufficient input validation creates a path for malicious input to be interpreted and executed with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing the normal authentication and authorization mechanisms that should protect administrative functions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a classic example of a command injection or file manipulation vulnerability that can be exploited to escalate privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations and individuals who rely on NETGEAR DGND4000 routers for network security. A remote attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain administrative access to the router, enabling them to modify network configurations, implement malicious routing rules, intercept network traffic, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the local network. This privilege escalation capability allows attackers to perform actions such as changing DNS settings, modifying firewall rules, accessing sensitive network information, and potentially establishing persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects not only the device itself but also the entire network infrastructure that depends on proper router security controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates from NETGEAR, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific issue. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such compromises, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activity targeting router management interfaces, and enforce strict access controls for administrative accounts. Security teams should consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on requests to /setup.cgi with unusual parameter values. Additionally, regular security assessments of network infrastructure components should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, with adherence to industry standards such as those outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for network security monitoring and incident response procedures.