(Pwn2Own) NETGEAR Nighthawk R7800 Use of Hard-coded Password Authentication Bypass Vulnerability

February 25th, 2021
ZDI-21-252 ZDI-CAN-12287

CVE ID

CVE-2021-27254

CVSS Score

6.3 AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L

Affected Vendors

NETGEAR

Affected Products

R7800

Vulnerability Details

This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to bypass authentication on affected installations of NETGEAR R7800. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.

The specific flaw exists within the apply_save.cgi endpoint. This issue results from the use of hard-coded encryption key. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of root.

Additional Details

NETGEAR has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
https://kb.netgear.com/000062883/Security-Advisory-for-Multiple-Vulnerabilities-on-Some-Routers-Satellites-and-Extenders

Disclosure Timeline

  • 2020-11-06 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
  • 2021-02-25 - Coordinated public release of advisory

Credit

84c0

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