CVE-2025-12942 in R6260
Summary
by MITRE • 11/11/2025
Improper Input Validation vulnerability in NETGEAR R6260 and NETGEAR R6850 allows unauthenticated attackers connected to LAN with ability to perform MiTM attacks and control over DNS Server to perform command execution.This issue affects R6260: through 1.1.0.86; R6850: through 1.1.0.86.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in NETGEAR routers R6260 and R6850 models, specifically affecting firmware versions through 1.1.0.86. The issue stems from improper input validation within the device's web management interface, creating a pathway for unauthenticated attackers who are already connected to the local area network to exploit the system. The vulnerability falls under CWE-20, which catalogs improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software design that enables various attack vectors including command injection and privilege escalation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a man-in-the-middle attack scenario where an attacker positioned within the same LAN segment can manipulate DNS server configurations and execute arbitrary commands on the affected devices. This capability arises from insufficient validation of user-supplied input in the router's configuration handling mechanisms, allowing malicious data to be processed without proper sanitization. Attackers can leverage this to inject commands that execute with the privileges of the router's web server process, potentially enabling full system compromise and persistent access to the local network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the router's DNS configuration and network traffic routing capabilities. This allows for sophisticated attacks including DNS hijacking, traffic interception, and redirection of network communications to malicious endpoints. The vulnerability particularly affects enterprise and home networks where these routers are deployed, as it can be exploited by any device on the local network without requiring authentication credentials or specialized attack tools.
Network security professionals should immediately implement mitigation strategies including firmware updates to the latest available versions, network segmentation to isolate critical devices, and monitoring for anomalous DNS traffic patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in network infrastructure devices, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1071 for application layer protocol. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control measures and regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other network devices within their infrastructure.