External risk intelligence

NETGEAR Router Command Execution Vulnerability.

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2016-6277

Certain NETGEAR routers are susceptible to remote command execution due to insecure input processing. This vulnerability allows attackers to run unauthorized commands, potentially leading to compromised systems and data. The risk is heightened as the exploit can be accessed over the network, impacting organizations wit

5Halo Surface Signal

Cross-site Request Forgery

Netgear D6220 Firmware

1.0.0.22 and earlier1.0.0.56 and earlier1.0.4.6_10.1.12 and earlier1.0.1.18 and earlier1.0.1.14 and earlier1.0.7.2_1.1.93 and earlier1.0.0.28 and earlier1.0.0.46 and earlier1.0.1.8...

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2016-6277

This vulnerability affects consumer wireless routers. These devices are designed to act as internet-facing gateways, and the vulnerability resides in the web-based management interface, which is commonly exposed to the network or, if misconfigured or via remote management features, directly to the public internet.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

Certain NETGEAR routers contain a vulnerability that allows attackers to execute commands remotely. This flaw stems from how the affected devices process input, enabling malicious actors to run unauthorized commands. The business impact can be significant, potentially leading to compromised systems and data.

  • Vulnerable NETGEAR routers
  • Input processed insecurely
  • Remote command execution possible

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary commands on affected NETGEAR routers. The attack leverages specially crafted input within the web interface, which is then passed to the command line. This can lead to unauthorized access and control over the device.

  • Exposure via web interface.
  • Attacker sends commands via path.
  • Control over the device.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected NETGEAR routers. An attacker could exploit this by sending specially crafted commands through the router's web interface. This could lead to unauthorized access, modification, or deletion of data, and potentially disrupt network services.

  • Likely attacker skill level: Low
  • Required access or conditions: Network access
  • Business risk or urgency: High

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability could allow attackers to remotely execute commands on affected devices. The risk is amplified because the exploit vector is accessible over the network, potentially impacting organizations with exposed devices. Successful exploitation could lead to significant business disruption and data compromise.

  • Identify devices running affected firmware.
  • Restrict network access to device management interfaces.
  • Update firmware and monitor network activity.

Frequently asked questions

What types of NETGEAR routers are affected by this command execution vulnerability?

Several NETGEAR router models are affected, including the R6250, R6400, R6700, R6900, R7000, R7100LG, R7300DST, R7900, and R8000, as well as the D6220 and D6400 models, and potentially others.

How does the NETGEAR router vulnerability allow for remote command execution?

The vulnerability, classified as CWE-352, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the path info to cgi-bin/. This means specially crafted input in the web interface can be interpreted as commands by the router's operating system.

What is the trigger path for this NETGEAR router vulnerability, and does it involve scope negation?

The trigger path involves sending specially crafted input containing shell metacharacters through the path of the cgi-bin/ endpoint in the router's web interface. There is no explicit mention of scope negation in the provided details, but the attack targets the command-line interface indirectly through web requests.

How relevant is the CVE-2016-6277 vulnerability given its known exploitation status?

This vulnerability is highly relevant and has been listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating it has been actively exploited in the wild. The Halo Surface Signal assessment rates the likelihood of exploitation as 'Very likely' due to its nature affecting internet-facing devices.

What practical steps can be taken to respond to the NETGEAR router command execution vulnerability?

To mitigate this vulnerability, it is crucial to identify affected NETGEAR devices, apply firmware updates provided by the vendor, and restrict network access to device management interfaces. Continuous monitoring of network activity is also recommended to detect any suspicious behavior.

References