CVE-2024-51003 in R8500
Summary
by MITRE • 11/05/2024
Netgear R8500 v1.0.2.160, XR300 v1.0.3.78, R7000P v1.3.3.154, and R6400 v2 1.0.4.128 were discovered to multiple stack overflow vulnerabilities in the component ap_mode.cgi via the apmode_dns1_pri and apmode_dns1_sec parameters. These vulnerabilities allow attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via a crafted POST request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-51003 affects several Netgear router models including the R8500, XR300, R7000P, and R6400, all running specific firmware versions that contain stack overflow conditions in the ap_mode.cgi component. This represents a critical security flaw that resides within the web interface handling of DNS server parameters, specifically the apmode_dns1_pri and apmode_dns1_sec fields that are processed through POST requests. The affected devices utilize embedded web servers that fail to properly validate input lengths before copying data to fixed-size stack buffers, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the ap_mode.cgi script which handles wireless access point configuration parameters. When attackers submit crafted POST requests containing excessively long strings in the apmode_dns1_pri and apmode_dns1_sec parameters, the application fails to perform adequate bounds checking before copying these values into local stack buffers. This classic buffer overflow scenario occurs because the software uses unsafe string handling functions without proper length verification, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory and potentially disrupt normal program execution flow. The vulnerability manifests as a denial of service condition where the device becomes unresponsive or crashes, requiring manual reboot to restore functionality.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to network infrastructure security as it allows remote attackers to disrupt network services without requiring authentication or elevated privileges. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates over the standard web interface port, making exploitation accessible to anyone with network connectivity to the affected devices. Network administrators face the challenge of maintaining service availability while these devices remain vulnerable, as the DoS condition can be triggered repeatedly without requiring additional authentication. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affecting business continuity and network reliability for organizations relying on these consumer-grade networking equipment.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as a fundamental programming error that occurs when data is written beyond the boundaries of a fixed-length buffer allocated on the stack. This weakness is particularly dangerous in embedded systems where buffer overflows can lead to complete system compromise or denial of service conditions. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service, representing a straightforward exploitation path that requires minimal technical expertise to execute successfully. The affected devices typically lack advanced security mitigations such as stack canaries or address space layout randomization, making exploitation more reliable and predictable.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Netgear when available, network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical infrastructure, and monitoring for suspicious POST requests to the ap_mode.cgi endpoint. Network administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary web management interfaces when possible and implementing intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation in embedded web applications and highlights the need for manufacturers to implement robust security testing procedures during development cycles. Additionally, organizations should maintain inventory tracking of all network devices and their firmware versions to quickly identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their entire network infrastructure.