CVE-2020-26911 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by lack of access control at the function level, impacting various router models.

Understanding CVE-2020-26911

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in NETGEAR routers that allows unauthorized access due to a lack of access control at the function level.

What is CVE-2020-26911?

The vulnerability affects several NETGEAR router models, including D6200, D7000, JR6150, R6020, R6050, R6080, R6120, R6220, R6260, R6700v2, R6800, R6900v2, R7450, and WNR2020, before specific firmware versions.

The Impact of CVE-2020-26911

CVSS Base Score: 8.3 (High Severity)
Attack Vector: Adjacent Network
Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: High
Availability Impact: Low
Privileges Required: None
Scope: Unchanged
User Interaction: None

Technical Details of CVE-2020-26911

The technical details of this CVE provide insight into the vulnerability's description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The lack of access control at the function level in certain NETGEAR routers allows unauthorized users to gain access to sensitive information and compromise the integrity of the devices.

Affected Systems and Versions

D6200 before 1.1.00.38
D7000 before 1.0.1.78
JR6150 before 1.0.1.24
R6020 before 1.0.0.42
R6050 before 1.0.1.24
R6080 before 1.0.0.42
R6120 before 1.0.0.66
R6220 before 1.1.0.100
R6260 before 1.1.0.64
R6700v2 before 1.2.0.62
R6800 before 1.2.0.62
R6900v2 before 1.2.0.62
R7450 before 1.2.0.62
WNR2020 before 1.1.0.62

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized users can exploit this vulnerability by accessing functions within the affected NETGEAR routers without proper authentication, potentially leading to data breaches and system compromise.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting against CVE-2020-26911 involves immediate steps and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected NETGEAR routers to the latest firmware versions that address the access control issue.
Implement strong and unique passwords for router access to prevent unauthorized entry.
Monitor network activity for any suspicious behavior that may indicate unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly check for firmware updates and security advisories from NETGEAR to stay protected against potential vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address any security gaps in the network infrastructure.

Patching and Updates

NETGEAR has released patches for the affected router models to fix the access control issue. Ensure timely installation of these patches to secure your devices against exploitation.