CVE-2018-21204 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

NETGEAR devices such as D7800, R6100, R7500, and more are vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow. Learn about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2018-21204

This CVE involves a critical vulnerability in various NETGEAR devices, potentially allowing unauthorized attackers to exploit a stack-based buffer overflow.

What is CVE-2018-21204?

The CVE-2018-21204 vulnerability affects multiple NETGEAR models, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code or crash affected devices.

The Impact of CVE-2018-21204

The vulnerability has a high severity level with significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-21204

Explore the specifics of this vulnerability to understand its implications and potential risks.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is a stack-based buffer overflow that exists in several NETGEAR devices due to improper input validation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Devices: D7800, R6100, R7500, R7500v2, R7800, R9000, WNDR3700v4, WNDR4300, WNDR4300v2, WNDR4500v3
Firmware Versions: Check for D7800 before 1.0.1.30, R6100 before 1.0.1.20, R7500 before 1.0.0.118, and more.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted requests to the affected devices, triggering the buffer overflow.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2018-21204 and safeguard your NETGEAR devices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected devices to the latest firmware versions provided by NETGEAR.
Implement network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable devices.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that could indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor vendor security advisories for firmware updates and security patches.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and firmware updates promptly to address the CVE-2018-21204 vulnerability and enhance device security.