CVE-2018-21161 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A number of NETGEAR devices suffer from a security misconfiguration issue affecting specific firmware versions.

Understanding CVE-2018-21161

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in NETGEAR devices that leads to improper security settings setup.

What is CVE-2018-21161?

The vulnerability impacts NETGEAR D7800 devices with firmware versions prior to 1.0.1.34, R7800 devices with firmware versions prior to 1.0.2.46, and R9000 devices with firmware versions prior to 1.0.3.16.

The Impact of CVE-2018-21161

The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.0 base score of 8.8, indicating a high severity level with significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-21161

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

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the incorrect configuration of security settings on affected NETGEAR devices.

Affected Systems and Versions

NETGEAR D7800 devices with firmware versions prior to 1.0.1.34
NETGEAR R7800 devices with firmware versions prior to 1.0.2.46
NETGEAR R9000 devices with firmware versions prior to 1.0.3.16

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Scope: Unchanged
Availability Impact: High
Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: High

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2018-21161 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected devices to the latest firmware versions provided by NETGEAR.
Ensure proper configuration of security settings on the devices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for firmware updates and security advisories from NETGEAR.
Implement strong network security measures to mitigate potential risks.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates promptly to address known vulnerabilities and enhance device security.