CVE-2024-52013 in R6400
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 contain a stack overflow via the pptp_user_ip parameter at wiz_pptp.cgi. This vulnerability allows 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-2024-52013 represents a critical stack overflow condition affecting multiple Netgear router models including the R8500 R7000P and R6400 series. This flaw exists within the web interface component of these networking devices, specifically within the wiz_pptp.cgi script that handles Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol user IP parameter processing. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes a crafted POST request containing an oversized pptp_user_ip parameter value, creating a condition where the application fails to properly validate input length before copying data to a fixed-size stack buffer. This fundamental buffer management error creates an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to disrupt normal device operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. The affected Netgear devices utilize a web-based configuration interface that processes user inputs through CGI scripts without adequate input sanitization or length validation. When an attacker submits a maliciously crafted POST request containing an excessively long pptp_user_ip parameter, the system's insufficient input validation permits the oversized data to be copied directly into a stack buffer, causing the stack to overflow and potentially leading to application termination or system instability. This vulnerability specifically targets the PPTP configuration handling within the device's web management interface, making it particularly concerning for network administrators who may unknowingly expose these devices to remote exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise the overall network infrastructure managed by these routers. When exploited successfully, the stack overflow can cause the affected router's web interface to crash or become unresponsive, effectively rendering the device inaccessible for configuration management and network administration. Network administrators who rely on these devices for internet connectivity and network services may experience significant disruption to their network operations, as the affected routers could become completely non-functional until manual intervention occurs. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the device or network presence to carry out the attack, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where these devices may be exposed to external network traffic. This condition can result in extended downtime for network services, increased administrative overhead, and potential security risks if the device becomes unavailable during critical network operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-52013 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Netgear to address the underlying buffer overflow condition in the affected router models. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks, particularly by ensuring that the web management interfaces are not directly accessible from external networks. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary services such as PPTP VPN functionality if not required, implementing network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and maintaining regular backup configurations to enable rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in web applications, reinforcing principles from the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines that emphasize secure coding practices to prevent buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious POST request patterns targeting CGI scripts and establish incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.