CVE-2017-18746 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Certain NETGEAR devices are impacted by a security misconfiguration issue, affecting various models such as EX3700, EX3800, EX6000, EX6130, EX6400, EX7000, EX7300, and WN2500RPv2.

Understanding CVE-2017-18746

This CVE identifies a security misconfiguration problem in specific NETGEAR devices, potentially exposing them to security risks.

What is CVE-2017-18746?

The CVE-2017-18746 vulnerability pertains to incorrect security settings configuration in certain NETGEAR devices, including popular models like EX3700, EX3800, and others.

The Impact of CVE-2017-18746

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 6.1, indicating a medium severity issue with low confidentiality and integrity impacts. The attack complexity is low, and no user interaction or privileges are required.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-18746

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The security settings misconfiguration affects NETGEAR devices, specifically EX3700, EX3800, EX6000, EX6130, EX6400, EX7000, EX7300, and WN2500RPv2.

Affected Systems and Versions

EX3700 (before version 1.0.0.64)
EX3800 (before version 1.0.0.64)
EX6000 (before version 1.0.0.24)
EX6130 (before version 1.0.0.16)
EX6400 (before version 1.0.1.60)
EX7000 (before version 1.0.0.50)
EX7300 (before version 1.0.1.60)
WN2500RPv2 (before version 1.0.1.46)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited through an adjacent network, with no user interaction or privileges required.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-18746 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected NETGEAR devices to the recommended firmware versions.
Implement network segmentation to limit exposure to potential attacks.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and security patches on all network devices.
Conduct security audits and assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

NETGEAR has released patches for the affected devices. Ensure timely installation of these patches to mitigate the security misconfiguration vulnerability.