CVE-2018-21122 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Some NETGEAR devices are impacted by a denial of service issue affecting specific firmware versions.

Understanding CVE-2018-21122

Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by a denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited by attackers to disrupt the normal operation of the affected devices.

What is CVE-2018-21122?

The CVE-2018-21122 vulnerability targets NETGEAR devices, including GS110EMX, GS810EMX, XS512EM, and XS724EM, running outdated firmware versions.

The Impact of CVE-2018-21122

The vulnerability poses a medium severity risk with a CVSS base score of 6.5. It can lead to a denial of service condition on the affected devices, potentially causing disruption in network availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-21122

NETGEAR devices are susceptible to a denial of service vulnerability due to outdated firmware versions.

Vulnerability Description

The denial of service issue affects NETGEAR devices running firmware versions 1.0.0.9 or earlier for GS110EMX, 1.0.0.5 or earlier for GS810EMX, 1.0.0.6 or earlier for XS512EM, and 1.0.0.6 or earlier for XS724EM.

Affected Systems and Versions

GS110EMX devices with firmware version 1.0.0.9 or earlier
GS810EMX devices with firmware version 1.0.0.5 or earlier
XS512EM devices with firmware version 1.0.0.6 or earlier
XS724EM devices with firmware version 1.0.0.6 or earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted network packets to the affected devices, triggering a denial of service condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to mitigate the impact of CVE-2018-21122 and prevent potential attacks.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the firmware of the affected NETGEAR devices to the latest version provided by the vendor.
Implement network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices from untrusted networks.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly check for firmware updates and apply them promptly to ensure devices are protected against known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address any weaknesses in the network infrastructure.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from NETGEAR and promptly apply patches to address any newly discovered vulnerabilities.