CVE-2021-33514 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2021-33514, a high-severity command injection vulnerability impacting specific NETGEAR devices. Get insights on the impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
This article provides details about CVE-2021-33514, a command injection vulnerability affecting certain NETGEAR devices through a CGI application.
Understanding CVE-2021-33514
CVE-2021-33514 is a high-severity vulnerability that allows an unauthenticated attacker to perform command injection via a vulnerable library used by a CGI application in NETGEAR devices.
What is CVE-2021-33514?
Certain NETGEAR devices are prone to command injection by an unauthenticated attacker through a vulnerable library, leading to a high-risk scenario affecting specific device models.
The Impact of CVE-2021-33514
The vulnerability poses a high risk with a CVSS base score of 8.8, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands and compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-33514
This section dives into the technical aspects of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
NETGEAR devices are susceptible to command injection via a CGI application using the vulnerable /sqfs/lib/libsal.so.0.0 library, enabling unauthenticated attackers to execute OS commands.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability impacts various NETGEAR device models such as GC108P, GS108Tv3, GS110TPv3, GS716TP, GS724TPv2, GS728TPPv2, GS752TPv2, MS510TXM, and more, before specific firmware versions.
Exploitation Mechanism
Exploitation occurs through a specially crafted User-Agent field, such as setup.cgi?token=';$HTTP_USER_AGENT;', triggering the execution of malicious OS commands.
Mitigation and Prevention
In this section, we discuss immediate steps to take and long-term security practices to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-33514.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update affected devices with the latest firmware patches provided by NETGEAR to prevent exploitation of the vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing network segmentation, access controls, and regular security audits can enhance the overall security posture and resilience against similar threats.
Patching and Updates
Regularly monitor for firmware updates from NETGEAR and promptly apply patches to address known vulnerabilities and protect devices from potential cyber threats.