CVE-2016-1555
NETGEAR Multiple WAP Devices Command Injection Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2016-1555 is a critical command injection vulnerability affecting NETGEAR Wireless Access Point (WAP) Devices. Multiple NETGEAR Wireless Access Point devices allows unauthenticated web pages to pass form input directly to the command-line interface. Exploitation allows for arbitrary code execution. An attacker can exploit this flaw without authentication over the network. CISA has added this vulnerability to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. The EPSS score of 94.33% (100.0th percentile) indicates a significantly elevated exploitation probability.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| netgear | wnap320 firmware | <= 3.0.5.0 |
| netgear | wndap350 firmware | <= 3.0.5.0 |
| netgear | wndap360 firmware | <= 3.0.5.0 |
| netgear | wndap210v2 firmware | <= 3.0.5.0 |
| netgear | wn604 firmware | <= 3.3.2 |
| netgear | wndap660 firmware | <= 3.0.5.0 |
| netgear | wn802tv2 firmware | <= 3.0.5.0 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/135956/D-Link-Netgear-FIRMADYNE-Command-Injection-Buffer-Overflow.html(Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Feb/112(Mailing List, Third Party Advisory)
- https://kb.netgear.com/30480/CVE-2016-1555-Notification?cid=wmt_netgear_organic(Patch, Vendor Advisory)
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/45909/(Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-1555(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
Command Injection is a critical vulnerability that occurs when software constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but fails to neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when executed. This allows attackers to inject malicious commands that are executed by the underlying system with the same privileges as the vulnerable application. In the case of CVE-2016-1555, this weakness allows attackers to compromise NETGEAR Wireless Access Point (WAP) Devices systems.
Learn more: CWE-77 — Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
Impact Analysis
CVE-2016-1555 carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 (CRITICAL), reflecting the serious risk it poses to affected environments. Successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of data confidentiality, full system integrity compromise, and complete denial of service. The attack vector is network-based with low complexity, meaning exploitation is straightforward and can be reliably repeated. Organizations running NETGEAR Wireless Access Point (WAP) Devices face tangible risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and operational disruption if this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Exploit Maturity
CVE-2016-1555 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with a remediation deadline of 2022-04-15, confirming that real-world exploitation has been observed. The EPSS score of 94.33% (100.0th percentile) places this vulnerability among those most likely to be exploited. Public exploit code is available in vulnerability databases, lowering the barrier for attackers and increasing the urgency of remediation.
Remediation
- Apply updates per vendor instructions. This is the CISA-mandated remediation action and should be prioritized immediately.
- If patches cannot be applied immediately, restrict network access to the affected Wireless Access Point (WAP) Devices management interfaces to only trusted administrative networks using firewall rules or access control lists.
- Monitor vendor security advisories for additional updates and ensure a patch management process is in place for timely deployment.
- Conduct a thorough review of affected systems for signs of prior compromise, including unexpected user accounts, modified configurations, and unusual network activity.
- Implement defense-in-depth measures including network segmentation, intrusion detection systems, and continuous security monitoring for the affected infrastructure.
Technical Details
CVE-2016-1555 is exploitable remotely over the network without any prior authentication. Multiple NETGEAR Wireless Access Point devices allows unauthenticated web pages to pass form input directly to the command-line interface. Exploitation allows for arbitrary code execution. The attack complexity is rated low, meaning no specialized conditions or preparation are needed beyond network access to the target. The scope is unchanged, meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 reflects the combination of these factors and the potential for significant damage to affected systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2016-1555 being actively exploited?
Yes. CISA has confirmed active exploitation by adding CVE-2016-1555 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The EPSS score of 94.33% (100.0th percentile) further indicates high exploitation likelihood.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-1555?
CVE-2016-1555 affects NETGEAR Wireless Access Point (WAP) Devices. Specifically, affected products include netgear wnap320 firmware, netgear wndap350 firmware, netgear wndap360 firmware, netgear wndap210v2 firmware, netgear wn604 firmware, and others.
How do I fix CVE-2016-1555?
Apply updates per vendor instructions. Ensure your systems are updated to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not feasible, restrict network access to the affected system's management interfaces.
How severe is CVE-2016-1555?
CVE-2016-1555 has a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). This is a critical vulnerability that should be remediated with the highest priority. The vulnerability enables unauthenticated remote attackers to potentially compromise affected Wireless Access Point (WAP) Devices systems.
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