CVE-2025-4142 in EX6200
Summary
by MITRE • 05/01/2025
A vulnerability has been found in Netgear EX6200 1.0.3.94 and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects the function sub_3C8EC. The manipulation of the argument host leads to buffer overflow. The attack can be initiated remotely. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-4142 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in Netgear EX6200 firmware version 1.0.3.94 affecting the sub_3C8EC function. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the host argument processing mechanism, creating a condition where maliciously crafted input can exceed the allocated buffer space and overwrite adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates a high potential for exploitation that could result in arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The affected device operates as a wireless router and access point, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to network infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow vulnerability occurs through remote manipulation of the host argument, which suggests the flaw exists within network-facing services or web interfaces that process external input. When an attacker supplies a specially crafted host parameter, the sub_3C8EC function fails to properly bounds-check the input data before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This memory corruption scenario typically allows attackers to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data structures within the program's memory space. The vulnerability's remote attack vector eliminates the need for physical access to the device, enabling exploitation from any network location with connectivity to the affected router's management interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as buffer overflows of this nature often provide attackers with opportunities to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. Given that the Netgear EX6200 operates as a core network infrastructure device, successful exploitation could result in complete network compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure attempts creates additional operational risk for affected organizations, as there are no official patches or mitigations available to address the vulnerability. This situation leaves networks exposed to potential exploitation by threat actors who may have already discovered and are actively using this vulnerability in the wild.
Security professionals should implement immediate network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure while awaiting vendor remediation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a potential pathway for ATT&CK technique T1059.007, command and scripting interpreter for remote code execution. Organizations should consider deploying network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The absence of vendor response underscores the importance of maintaining awareness of emerging threats and implementing defensive measures such as intrusion detection systems, network access controls, and regular vulnerability assessments to protect against unpatched devices in critical infrastructure environments.