CVE-2024-51004 in R8500
Summary
by MITRE • 11/05/2024
Netgear R8500 v1.0.2.160 and R7000P v1.3.3.154 were discovered to multiple stack overflow vulnerabilities in the component usb_device.cgi via the cifs_user, read_access, and write_access 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-2024-51004 affects Netgear routers including the R8500 v1.0.2.160 and R7000P v1.3.3.154 models, representing a critical stack overflow condition within the usb_device.cgi component. This flaw manifests through three specific parameters named cifs_user, read_access, and write_access which are processed in the web interface handling of USB device configurations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking within the cgi script that manages USB device access controls, creating an exploitable buffer overflow condition when maliciously crafted POST requests are submitted to the affected devices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of improper memory management within the web server component of the router firmware. When the usb_device.cgi script processes the cifs_user, read_access, and write_access parameters without adequate sanitization, it fails to validate the length and content of user-supplied input before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs because the application does not perform bounds checking on the input data, allowing an attacker to exceed the allocated buffer space and overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it exists within the web interface handling of USB device configurations, which are commonly accessed by users for network file sharing and storage management functions.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability manifests as a Denial of Service condition that can render the affected router completely inoperable. An attacker capable of sending a specially crafted POST request to the vulnerable router can cause the web server process to crash or terminate unexpectedly, resulting in complete loss of network connectivity for all devices connected to the router. The DoS condition affects not only the web management interface but can also disrupt the router's core networking functions, potentially leaving users unable to access their network resources or reconfigure their device settings. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network availability is critical, as it could be exploited to disrupt business operations or create security gaps during the recovery period.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses conditions where data is copied into a fixed-length buffer without proper bounds checking. This weakness falls under the broader category of software security flaws that can be leveraged for remote code execution or system compromise, though the current analysis indicates this instance is limited to DoS conditions. The attack vector follows standard network-based exploitation patterns as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries target web applications and network services for initial access or disruption. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Netgear, network segmentation to limit access to affected devices, and monitoring for suspicious POST requests to the usb_device.cgi endpoint.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be executed through automated tools, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment. The lack of authentication requirements for the affected endpoint means that any network-connected attacker can potentially exploit this vulnerability without prior access credentials. Network administrators should consider implementing firewall rules to restrict access to the specific CGI endpoint, though this approach may impact legitimate functionality. The vulnerability represents a significant security gap in embedded networking equipment and underscores the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in firmware development. Regular firmware updates and security assessments of network infrastructure are essential to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other network devices and components.