CVE-2021-20174 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article provides details about CVE-2021-20174, which affects Netgear Nighthawk R6700 version 1.0.4.120 by not utilizing secure communication methods to the web interface, potentially exposing sensitive information.

Understanding CVE-2021-20174

This section will cover the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

What is CVE-2021-20174?

CVE-2021-20174 affects Netgear Nighthawk R6700 version 1.0.4.120, where the device's web interface does not use secure communication methods, leading to cleartext transmission of sensitive data.

The Impact of CVE-2021-20174

The vulnerability allows malicious actors to intercept potentially sensitive information like usernames and passwords due to the lack of secure HTTPS communication protocol.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-20174

This section will delve into the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

Netgear Nighthawk R6700 version 1.0.4.120 does not encrypt communication to/from its web interface, exposing sensitive data during transmission.

Affected Systems and Versions

The impacted system is Netgear Nighthawk R6700 with version 1.0.4.120 that lacks secure communication protocols for its web interface.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by intercepting unencrypted traffic to the device's web interface, compromising user credentials.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines immediate steps to take and long-term security practices to enhance protection against CVE-2021-20174.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should avoid accessing the web interface over unsecured networks and consider changing default credentials.

Long-Term Security Practices

Enforce HTTPS for web interface communication, regularly update firmware, and implement network security measures to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Netgear may release patches to address the vulnerability, so users should regularly check for updates to ensure protection against CVE-2021-20174.