CVE-2018-21154 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A command injection vulnerability affecting specific NETGEAR devices could be exploited by authenticated users.

Understanding CVE-2018-21154

This CVE involves command injection on certain NETGEAR models, potentially leading to severe consequences.

What is CVE-2018-21154?

The vulnerability allows authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands on affected NETGEAR devices, including models like D7800, DM200, R6100, R7500, R7500v2, and R7800.

The Impact of CVE-2018-21154

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 6.8 (Medium severity) with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-21154

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw enables authenticated users to perform command injection on vulnerable NETGEAR devices.

Affected Systems and Versions

D7800 (versions prior to 1.0.1.34)
DM200 (versions prior to 1.0.0.50)
R6100 (versions prior to 1.0.1.22)
R7500 (versions prior to 1.0.0.122)
R7500v2 (versions prior to 1.0.3.26)
R7800 (versions prior to 1.0.2.42)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by authenticated users to inject and execute malicious commands on the affected devices.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from this vulnerability is crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected devices to the latest firmware versions.
Implement strong, unique passwords for device access.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and update device firmware.
Conduct security training for users to recognize and report suspicious activities.

Patching and Updates

NETGEAR has released patches addressing this vulnerability. Ensure timely installation of these updates.