CVE-2017-18846 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability has been identified in certain NETGEAR devices, impacting various models such as R6250, R6400v2, R7000P/R6900P, R7900, R8300, R8500, and D8500.

Understanding CVE-2017-18846

This CVE involves a critical vulnerability in specific NETGEAR router models that could be exploited by attackers.

What is CVE-2017-18846?

The CVE-2017-18846 vulnerability is a stack-based buffer overflow found in select NETGEAR routers, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code or crash affected devices.

The Impact of CVE-2017-18846

The vulnerability has the following impacts:

Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: High
Availability Impact: High
Privileges Required: High
User Interaction: None
CVSS Base Score: 6.7 (Medium Severity)

Technical Details of CVE-2017-18846

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE-2017-18846 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is a stack-based buffer overflow affecting the following NETGEAR router models:

R6250 (versions prior to 1.0.4.12)
R6400v2 (versions prior to 1.0.2.32)
R7000P/R6900P (versions prior to 1.0.0.56)
R7900 (versions prior to 1.0.1.18)
R8300 (versions prior to 1.0.2.100_1.0.82)
R8500 (versions prior to 1.0.2.100_1.0.82)
D8500 (versions prior to 1.0.3.29)

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts the aforementioned NETGEAR router models with specific versions mentioned.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with high privileges can exploit this vulnerability locally, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution or denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting your systems from CVE-2017-18846 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected NETGEAR routers to the latest firmware versions.
Implement strong network security measures to prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security advisories and updates from NETGEAR.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and firmware updates provided by NETGEAR to address the CVE-2017-18846 vulnerability.