CVE-2017-5521 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2017-5521 affecting NETGEAR devices like R8500, R8300, R7000, leading to password exposure. Find mitigation steps and long-term security practices here.
A security issue affecting various NETGEAR devices has been discovered, potentially leading to password disclosure through specific requests to the web management server.
Understanding CVE-2017-5521
What is CVE-2017-5521?
The vulnerability involves the exposure of passwords on NETGEAR devices like R8500, R8300, R7000, and others, allowing unauthorized access to the admin password.
The Impact of CVE-2017-5521
The vulnerability can be exploited remotely if remote management is enabled or locally if the attacker has LAN or WLAN access to the router. It exposes a password recovery token, granting access to the admin password.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-5521
Vulnerability Description
- Password disclosure vulnerability on NETGEAR devices
- Access to admin password via crafted requests
Affected Systems and Versions
- NETGEAR R8500, R8300, R7000, R6400, and more
Exploitation Mechanism
- Remote exploitation if remote management is enabled
- Local exploitation with LAN or WLAN access
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Disable remote management if not required
- Enable password recovery and security questions
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update router firmware
- Implement strong, unique passwords
Patching and Updates
- Apply firmware updates from NETGEAR to address the vulnerability