CVE-2017-18829 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE involves vertical privilege escalation impacting various NETGEAR devices. The vulnerability allows unauthorized access to certain privileges.

Understanding CVE-2017-18829

What is CVE-2017-18829?

Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by vertical privilege escalation, including M4300-28G, M4300-52G, M4300-28G-POE+, M4300-52G-POE+, M4300-8X8F, M4300-12X12F, M4300-24X24F, M4300-24X, M4300-48X, and M4200.

The Impact of CVE-2017-18829

This vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 7.8, with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. It requires low privileges and has a local attack vector.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-18829

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows unauthorized access to certain privileges on the affected NETGEAR devices.

Affected Systems and Versions

M4300-28G (prior to version 12.0.2.15)
M4300-52G (prior to version 12.0.2.15)
M4300-28G-POE+ (prior to version 12.0.2.15)
M4300-52G-POE+ (prior to version 12.0.2.15)
M4300-8X8F (prior to version 12.0.2.15)
M4300-12X12F (prior to version 12.0.2.15)
M4300-24X24F (prior to version 12.0.2.15)
M4300-24X (prior to version 12.0.2.15)
M4300-48X (prior to version 12.0.2.15)
M4200 (prior to version 12.0.2.15)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited locally with low privileges, leading to unauthorized access to certain privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected devices to version 12.0.2.15 or later.
Monitor for any unauthorized access or unusual activities on the network.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and security patches on all network devices.
Implement strong access controls and least privilege principles.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by NETGEAR to address the vulnerability.