CVE-2024-36795 in WNR614
Summary
by MITRE • 06/07/2024
Insecure permissions in Netgear WNR614 JNR1010V2/N300-V1.1.0.54_1.0.1 allows attackers to access URLs and directories embedded within the firmware via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-36795 represents a critical access control flaw in Netgear WNR614 JNR1010V2/N300-V1.1.0.54_1.0.1 wireless routers where insecure permissions have been implemented within the firmware architecture. This weakness creates unauthorized access pathways that permit attackers to navigate to protected URLs and directories that should normally be restricted to authorized administrative users. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper access control as defined by CWE-284, which specifically addresses insufficient access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to resources. The affected device model represents a consumer-grade router that typically serves as a primary network gateway, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access points within network environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate permission controls within the web interface of the router firmware. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain access to sensitive administrative functions and configuration files that are normally protected. This misconfiguration likely involves weak file permissions, improper directory access controls, or flawed URL routing that fails to properly validate user credentials or roles before granting access to restricted resources. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially access firmware directories, system configuration files, and administrative interfaces without proper authorization, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script interpreter usage and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it provides attackers with the potential to manipulate router configurations, extract sensitive network information, and establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. Once compromised, the router can serve as a pivot point for attacking internal network resources, potentially enabling lateral movement and data exfiltration. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for enterprise environments where these consumer-grade devices are often deployed without proper security hardening. The access granted through this vulnerability could allow attackers to modify DNS settings, configure port forwarding rules, or disable security features, all of which could compromise the entire network security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-36795 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Netgear to address the insecure permission implementation. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential compromise and monitor network traffic for suspicious activity originating from the affected devices. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary services, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and regularly auditing device configurations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation in embedded systems and highlights the need for manufacturers to conduct thorough security testing of firmware components. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior from compromised devices and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing router compromise scenarios. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical security requirements for IoT and networking equipment, where inadequate access control can lead to significant network-wide consequences.