CVE-2024-36787 in WNR614
Summary
by MITRE • 06/07/2024
An issue in Netgear WNR614 JNR1010V2 N300-V1.1.0.54_1.0.1 allows attackers to bypass authentication and access the administrative interface via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-36787 affects Netgear WNR614 JNR1010V2 N300 routers running firmware version 1.1.0.54_1.0.1 and potentially other affected models within the Netgear product line. This authentication bypass flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows unauthenticated attackers to gain administrative access to the device's web interface without proper credentials. The vulnerability resides in the router's authentication mechanism, specifically in how it handles access control for administrative functions. Attackers can exploit this weakness to fully compromise the device and potentially gain control over the entire network infrastructure. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as the attacker can modify router settings, configure network parameters, redirect traffic, and potentially establish backdoors for persistent access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects consumer-grade networking equipment that many organizations deploy without proper security hardening. These devices often serve as the primary gateway for network traffic and may be located in unsecured physical locations, making them attractive targets for attackers who can leverage this vulnerability to gain persistent access to internal networks. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack surface may encompass multiple methods of exploitation including but not limited to direct web interface access, API endpoint manipulation, or potentially session management flaws. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a significant deviation from the expected security posture of network infrastructure devices. The attack pattern follows typical tactics used in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1078 technique for valid accounts, where attackers can leverage weak authentication mechanisms to establish unauthorized administrative access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability likely involves a flaw in the router's web server authentication logic or session management system. The affected firmware version may contain hardcoded credentials, weak cryptographic implementations, or predictable authentication tokens that allow attackers to bypass the normal authentication flow. The vulnerability could manifest through improper input validation of authentication requests, weak session handling, or missing access control checks in the administrative interface components. Network traffic analysis during exploitation might reveal that the attacker can access administrative functions by directly calling specific URLs or by manipulating request parameters that should normally require authentication. The router's web interface may not properly validate the presence of valid authentication tokens or session identifiers before granting access to administrative functions. This authentication bypass could be achieved through a simple HTTP request manipulation, where attackers can append or modify specific parameters in the request to gain administrative privileges without entering valid credentials. The exploitation process may involve minimal technical skill and could potentially be automated, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment across networks. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor into the device's management interface, allowing attackers to perform administrative functions such as changing network settings, modifying firewall rules, configuring DNS servers, or even installing malicious firmware.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-36787 is substantial for both individual users and enterprise networks that deploy affected Netgear devices. Organizations using these routers may experience complete network compromise, as attackers can manipulate routing tables, redirect traffic through malicious servers, or disable security features. The vulnerability can lead to man-in-the-middle attacks, DNS hijacking, and potential data exfiltration from internal network segments. In enterprise environments, this vulnerability could allow attackers to gain visibility into internal network structures, identify connected devices, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network. The affected devices may be used as command and control servers for botnet activities, or as entry points for more sophisticated attacks targeting other network resources. The long-term implications include potential persistent access to the network, data breaches, and compliance violations if the affected devices are part of regulated environments. Organizations may need to conduct comprehensive network assessments to identify all affected devices and implement immediate mitigations to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability also impacts network availability as attackers can potentially cause service disruption by modifying network configurations or disabling critical services. The risk is particularly elevated for organizations that do not regularly update their networking equipment or perform security assessments of their infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-36787 should include immediate firmware updates from Netgear to address the authentication bypass vulnerability. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical network segments and monitor network traffic for signs of exploitation attempts. The implementation of network access controls and firewall rules can help limit access to administrative interfaces from unauthorized sources. Organizations should consider disabling remote administration capabilities for affected devices if local access is sufficient for management purposes. Regular security assessments and network monitoring should be conducted to detect any unauthorized access attempts or changes to device configurations. Network administrators should also review and enforce proper network security policies including secure configuration of network devices, regular patch management, and implementation of network monitoring solutions. Physical security measures should be enhanced for network equipment to prevent unauthorized access to the devices themselves. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and implementing proper network security practices. Additional security controls such as intrusion detection systems, network behavior analysis, and regular vulnerability scanning should be deployed to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing zero trust network access principles to minimize the impact of compromised devices. The mitigation process should include thorough documentation of all affected devices, implementation of temporary workarounds, and establishment of incident response procedures specifically for network device compromise scenarios. Regular security awareness training for network administrators can help ensure proper configuration and monitoring of network infrastructure devices.