CVE-2017-6862
NETGEAR Multiple Devices Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2017-6862 is a buffer overflow vulnerability affecting multiple NETGEAR network devices that allows authentication bypass and remote code execution. The flaw enables remote attackers to send crafted requests that overflow a memory buffer, overwriting adjacent data structures and gaining the ability to execute arbitrary code on the device without valid credentials. Successful exploitation of this NETGEAR buffer overflow vulnerability can lead to complete compromise of the affected network device, including interception of network traffic and establishment of persistent backdoor access. CISA has added CVE-2017-6862 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, and with an EPSS score of 43.3% (97th percentile), this vulnerability demands prompt remediation.
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 | wnr2000 firmware | < 1.0.0.42; < 1.0.0.66; < 1.1.2.14 |
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://www.securityfocus.com/bid/98740(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://kb.netgear.com/000038542/Security-Advisory-for-Unauthenticated-Remote-Code-Execution-on-Some-Routers-PSV-2016-0261(Vendor Advisory)
- https://www.on-x.com/sites/default/files/on-x_-_security_advisory_-_netgear_wnr2000v5_-_cve-2017-6862.pdf(Broken Link)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2017-6862(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
CWE-119: Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
CVE-2017-6862 exploits an improper restriction of memory buffer operations in multiple NETGEAR devices, where user-supplied input is processed without proper bounds checking. This buffer overflow allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory regions including authentication state and control flow data, enabling both authentication bypass and remote code execution on the affected network device.
Learn more: CWE-119 — Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
Impact Analysis
CVE-2017-6862 is a critical vulnerability in multiple NETGEAR devices that enables both authentication bypass and remote code execution through a buffer overflow. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without requiring any credentials, making it accessible to any attacker with network access to the device's management interface. Confidentiality is critically impacted as an attacker with code execution on a network device can intercept, inspect, and log all traffic passing through the device. Integrity is fully compromised through the ability to modify routing rules, DNS settings, firewall configurations, and firmware. Availability is at risk as the attacker can disrupt network connectivity or brick the device. The EPSS score of 43.3% (97th percentile) indicates very high exploitation probability. Consumer and small business NETGEAR devices are frequently internet-facing and rarely receive timely firmware updates, creating a large population of vulnerable targets.
Exploit Maturity
CISA has confirmed active exploitation of CVE-2017-6862 by including it in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, with a remediation deadline of June 22, 2022. The EPSS score of 43.3% (97th percentile) reflects very high exploitation probability. No specific ransomware campaigns have been publicly attributed to this vulnerability, but buffer overflow vulnerabilities in consumer network devices are frequently exploited by IoT botnets such as Mirai and its variants, which leverage compromised devices for DDoS attacks, cryptomining, and proxy networks. The combination of authentication bypass and code execution makes this vulnerability particularly attractive for automated exploitation at scale.
Remediation
- Update NETGEAR device firmware immediately to the latest version as directed by the CISA KEV catalog. Check the NETGEAR support site for the specific firmware version addressing CVE-2017-6862 for each affected device model.
- Disable remote management access on all affected NETGEAR devices, ensuring that the management interface is only accessible from the local network.
- Replace end-of-life NETGEAR devices that no longer receive firmware updates, as these devices will remain permanently vulnerable to CVE-2017-6862 and similar vulnerabilities.
- Implement network segmentation to isolate NETGEAR devices from critical network segments, and place management interfaces on a dedicated management VLAN.
- Monitor network traffic for exploitation indicators including unusual outbound connections from NETGEAR devices, unexpected configuration changes, or DNS resolution anomalies that may indicate the device has been compromised.
Technical Details
CVE-2017-6862 is a buffer overflow vulnerability in the web management interface of multiple NETGEAR devices, caused by improper bounds checking on user-supplied input. When the device processes a specially crafted HTTP request, the input data exceeds the allocated buffer size, overwriting adjacent memory on the stack or heap. The overflow corrupts data structures used for authentication state management, enabling the attacker to bypass authentication requirements without valid credentials. Additionally, by carefully controlling the overflow payload, an attacker can overwrite return addresses or function pointers to redirect execution to attacker-supplied shellcode, achieving remote code execution on the device's embedded processor. NETGEAR devices typically run firmware on MIPS or ARM processors with minimal security mitigations (no ASLR, no stack canaries), making buffer overflow exploitation straightforward and highly reliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2017-6862 being actively exploited?
Yes. CISA has added CVE-2017-6862 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation. The EPSS score of 43.3% (97th percentile) indicates very high exploitation probability. IoT botnets frequently target buffer overflow vulnerabilities in network devices.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-6862?
CVE-2017-6862 affects multiple NETGEAR device models across the consumer and small business product lines. Consult the NETGEAR Security Advisory for the specific list of affected model numbers and firmware versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-6862?
Update the firmware on all affected NETGEAR devices to the latest version. If the device has reached end-of-life and no firmware update is available, replace it with a supported model. Disable remote management access as an interim mitigation.
How severe is CVE-2017-6862?
CVE-2017-6862 is a critical buffer overflow vulnerability with an EPSS score of 43.3% in the 97th percentile. It enables both authentication bypass and remote code execution, giving attackers complete control over the network device without any credentials required.
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