CVE-2017-18804 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Some NETGEAR devices are prone to a command injection vulnerability affecting R7800 devices before version 1.0.2.16 and R9000 devices before version 1.0.2.4.

Understanding CVE-2017-18804

This CVE involves a command injection vulnerability in certain NETGEAR devices, specifically impacting R7800 and R9000 routers.

What is CVE-2017-18804?

CVE-2017-18804 is a vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected NETGEAR devices, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control.

The Impact of CVE-2017-18804

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 6.7, indicating a medium severity issue with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack complexity is low, and the attack vector is local.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-18804

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows for command injection on NETGEAR R7800 and R9000 devices, enabling malicious actors to execute commands with elevated privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

NETGEAR R7800 devices before version 1.0.2.16
NETGEAR R9000 devices before version 1.0.2.4

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by sending specially crafted commands to the affected devices, taking advantage of the lack of input validation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-18804 requires immediate action and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected devices to the latest firmware versions that contain patches for the vulnerability.
Implement strong network access controls to limit exposure to potential attackers.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all network devices to address known vulnerabilities promptly.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential weaknesses in the network infrastructure.

Patching and Updates

NETGEAR has released firmware updates addressing the command injection vulnerability in R7800 and R9000 devices. Ensure timely installation of these patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation.