CVE-2018-21218 : Security Advisory and Response

An unauthorized attacker can exploit a buffer overflow vulnerability in certain NETGEAR devices. This vulnerability affects various models including D3600, D6000, D6100, D7800, R6100, R7500, R7500v2, R9000, WNDR3700v4, WNDR4300, WNDR4300v2, WNDR4500v3, and WNR2000v5.

Understanding CVE-2018-21218

This CVE involves a buffer overflow vulnerability in specific NETGEAR devices, potentially allowing unauthorized attackers to compromise the affected systems.

What is CVE-2018-21218?

CVE-2018-21218 is a security vulnerability that enables unauthorized attackers to exploit buffer overflow in certain NETGEAR devices, compromising their security.

The Impact of CVE-2018-21218

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

Technical Details of CVE-2018-21218

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE-2018-21218 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to trigger a buffer overflow in specific NETGEAR devices, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control of the affected systems.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following NETGEAR models are affected by CVE-2018-21218:

D3600 (version prior to 1.0.0.67)
D6000 (version prior to 1.0.0.67)
D6100 (version prior to 1.0.0.56)
D7800 (version prior to 1.0.1.30)
R6100 (version prior to 1.0.1.20)
R7500 (version prior to 1.0.0.118)
R7500v2 (version prior to 1.0.3.24)
R9000 (version prior to 1.0.2.52)
WNDR3700v4 (version prior to 1.0.2.96)
WNDR4300 (version prior to 1.0.2.98)
WNDR4300v2 (version prior to 1.0.0.50)
WNDR4500v3 (version prior to 1.0.0.50)
WNR2000v5 (version prior to 1.0.0.62)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker with network access to the affected devices, allowing them to execute arbitrary code and potentially take control of the systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-21218 and enhance the security of NETGEAR devices, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the firmware of the affected devices to the latest patched versions.
Implement network segmentation to restrict access to vulnerable devices.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all network devices to address known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential security weaknesses.
Educate users and administrators about best practices for network security and device management.

Patching and Updates

NETGEAR has released patches for the affected devices to address the CVE-2018-21218 vulnerability. Ensure that all devices are updated to the latest firmware versions to mitigate the risk of exploitation.