Description
NETGEAR DGN1000 before 1.1.00.48 is vulnerable to an authentication bypass vulnerability. A remote and unauthenticated attacker can execute arbitrary operating system commands as root by sending crafted HTTP requests to the setup.cgi endpoint. This vulnerability has been exploited in the wild since at least 2017.
EPSS Score:
0%
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2024-51148
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
The vulnerability described in EUVD-2024-51148 pertains to an authentication bypass issue in NETGEAR DGN1000 devices running firmware versions prior to 1.1.00.48. This vulnerability allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary operating system commands as the root user by sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the setup.cgi endpoint. The severity of this vulnerability is rated at a base score of 9.8 according to CVSS 3.1, indicating a critical risk. The vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H highlights the following:
- Attack Vector (AV): Network (N) - The vulnerability is exploitable over the network.
- Attack Complexity (AC): Low (L) - The attack requires minimal skill or resources.
- Privileges Required (PR): None (N) - No privileges are required to exploit the vulnerability.
- User Interaction (UI): None (N) - No user interaction is required.
- Scope (S): Unchanged (U) - The vulnerability does not affect other security authorities.
- Confidentiality (C): High (H) - Complete loss of confidentiality.
- Integrity (I): High (H) - Complete loss of integrity.
- Availability (A): High (H) - Complete loss of availability.
Given the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, this vulnerability poses a significant threat to affected systems.
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
The primary attack vector involves sending crafted HTTP requests to the setup.cgi endpoint of the vulnerable NETGEAR DGN1000 device. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by:
- Scanning for Vulnerable Devices: Identifying NETGEAR DGN1000 devices with firmware versions below 1.1.00.48.
- Crafting Malicious HTTP Requests: Sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the
setup.cgiendpoint to execute arbitrary commands. - Executing Commands as Root: Leveraging the vulnerability to execute commands with root privileges, allowing full control over the device.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
The vulnerability affects NETGEAR DGN1000 devices running firmware versions prior to 1.1.00.48. Specifically:
- Product: NETGEAR DGN1000
- Affected Versions: All versions below 1.1.00.48
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
To mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability, the following strategies are recommended:
- Firmware Update: Immediately update the firmware of affected NETGEAR DGN1000 devices to version 1.1.00.48 or later.
- Network Segmentation: Isolate vulnerable devices from the public internet and place them behind a firewall.
- Access Control: Implement strict access controls and monitor network traffic for suspicious activity.
- Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Deploy IDS to detect and alert on any attempts to exploit the
setup.cgiendpoint. - Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and address similar issues.
5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape
The exploitation of this vulnerability can have significant implications for the European cybersecurity landscape, including:
- Widespread Compromise: Given the widespread use of NETGEAR devices, a large number of devices could be compromised, leading to data breaches and loss of control over network infrastructure.
- Critical Infrastructure Risk: If such devices are used in critical infrastructure, the impact could be severe, affecting essential services.
- Regulatory Compliance: Organizations may face regulatory penalties for non-compliance with data protection laws such as GDPR.
- Reputation Damage: Compromised organizations may suffer reputational damage and loss of customer trust.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
For security professionals, the following technical details are pertinent:
- Exploit Details: The vulnerability can be exploited by sending a crafted HTTP request to the
setup.cgiendpoint. Example:POST /setup.cgi HTTP/1.1 Host: <target_ip> Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded cmd=<malicious_command> - Detection: Monitor network traffic for unusual HTTP requests to the
setup.cgiendpoint. Implement logging and alerting mechanisms to detect and respond to such requests. - Response: In case of a detected exploit attempt, isolate the affected device, update the firmware, and conduct a thorough investigation to assess the extent of the compromise.
Conclusion
The authentication bypass vulnerability in NETGEAR DGN1000 devices is critical and requires immediate attention. Organizations should prioritize firmware updates and implement robust security measures to mitigate the risk. The potential impact on the European cybersecurity landscape underscores the importance of proactive security management and regular vulnerability assessments.