CVE-2025-52081 in XR300
Summary
by MITRE • 07/15/2025
In Netgear XR300 V1.0.3.38_10.3.30, a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the HTTPD service through the usb_device.cgi endpoint. The vulnerability occurs when processing POST requests containing the usb_folder parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-52081 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the Netgear XR300 router firmware version V1.0.3.38_10.3.30. This issue manifests specifically within the HTTPD service component that handles web requests, creating a significant security risk for affected devices. The vulnerability is triggered through the usb_device.cgi endpoint which processes incoming POST requests containing the usb_folder parameter, making it accessible to remote attackers who can exploit this flaw without authentication requirements.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation within the usb_device.cgi script where the usb_folder parameter is directly processed without adequate bounds checking or buffer size limitations. When a maliciously crafted POST request is sent to the HTTPD service, the application fails to properly validate the length of the usb_folder parameter before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This fundamental programming error allows an attacker to overflow the allocated buffer space and overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions where insufficient bounds checking permits memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution on affected Netgear XR300 devices. An attacker who successfully exploits this buffer overflow could gain unauthorized access to the router's operating system, potentially allowing full administrative control over the device. This compromise could lead to various malicious activities including but not limited to network traffic interception, DNS poisoning, port forwarding modifications, and serving as a pivot point for further attacks within the local network. The vulnerability's accessibility through the HTTPD service means that exploitation can occur over the network without requiring physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise and residential deployments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-52081 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Netgear, as the vendor is expected to release patched versions addressing the buffer overflow in the usb_device.cgi endpoint. Network administrators should implement additional defensive measures including firewall rules that restrict access to the affected HTTPD service ports and monitoring for suspicious POST requests containing malformed usb_folder parameters. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1210 Exploitation of Remote Services, where attackers leverage unpatched network services to gain system access. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and network scanning should be conducted to identify other potentially vulnerable services on the network that may present similar attack vectors. The affected device model represents a common target for botnet recruitment, making prompt remediation essential to prevent large-scale compromise of affected networks.