CVE-2017-18779 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability related to buffer overflow has been discovered in several NETGEAR devices. This CVE affects models such as D6200, D7000, JNR1010v2, JR6150, JWNR2010v5, PR2000, R6020, R6050, R6080, R6120, R6220, R6700v2, R6800, R6900v2, WNDR3700v5, WNR1000v4, WNR2020, and WNR2050.

Understanding CVE-2017-18779

This CVE identifies a buffer overflow vulnerability in various NETGEAR router models.

What is CVE-2017-18779?

CVE-2017-18779 is a security vulnerability that allows attackers to trigger a buffer overflow on specific NETGEAR routers, potentially leading to unauthorized access or denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2017-18779

The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.0 base score of 8.4, indicating a high severity level with significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-18779

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in NETGEAR routers allows for a buffer overflow, which can be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code or crash the device.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following NETGEAR router models are affected by this vulnerability:

D6200 (version before 1.1.00.24)
D7000 (version before 1.0.1.52)
JNR1010v2 (version before 1.1.0.44)
JR6150 (version before 1.0.1.12)
JWNR2010v5 (version before 1.1.0.44)
PR2000 (version before 1.0.0.20)
R6020 (version before 1.0.0.26)
R6050 (version before 1.0.1.12)
R6080 (version before 1.0.0.26)
R6120 (version before 1.0.0.36)
R6220 (version before 1.1.0.60)
R6700v2 (version before 1.2.0.12)
R6800 (version before 1.2.0.12)
R6900v2 (version before 1.2.0.12)
WNDR3700v5 (version before 1.1.0.50)
WNR1000v4 (version before 1.1.0.44)
WNR2020 (version before 1.1.0.44)
WNR2050 (version before 1.1.0.44)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited locally, requiring no privileges, and has a low attack complexity. Attackers can exploit this flaw to compromise the affected devices.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting against CVE-2017-18779 involves immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the firmware of the affected NETGEAR routers to versions that address the buffer overflow vulnerability.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security advisories and updates from NETGEAR.
Employ strong network security measures, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all NETGEAR router firmware is regularly updated to the latest versions to mitigate the risk of buffer overflow vulnerabilities.