CVE-2019-12511 Root Command Injection via MAC Address in SOAP API

Critical 9.8 Published Updated

Attackers can execute arbitrary root commands via MAC address injection in the SOAP API, requiring QoS enabled and valid authentication.

Exploited in the wild
Not known
Login needed
Not needed
Attackable
Over the internet
Victim action needed
Not needed
Fix
None listed

What is CVE-2019-12511?

CVE-2019-12511 is a critical command injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 24 Feb 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

In NETGEAR Nighthawk X10-R9000 prior to 1.0.4.26, an attacker may execute arbitrary system commands as root by sending a specially-crafted MAC address to the "NETGEAR Genie" SOAP endpoint at AdvancedQoS:GetCurrentBandwidthByMAC. Although this requires QoS being enabled, advanced QoS being enabled, and a valid authentication JWT, additional vulnerabilities (CVE-2019-12510) allow an attacker to interact with the entire SOAP API without authentication. Additionally, DNS rebinding techniques may be used to exploit this vulnerability remotely. Exploiting this vulnerability is somewhat involved. The following limitations apply to the payload and must be overcome for successful exploitation: - No more than 17 characters may be used. - At least one colon must be included to prevent mangling. - A single-quote and meta-character must be used to break out of the existing command. - Parent command remnants after the injection point must be dealt with. - The payload must be in all-caps. Despite these limitations, it is still possible to gain access to an interactive root shell via this vulnerability. Since the web server assigns certain HTTP headers to environment variables with all-caps names, it is possible to insert a payload into one such header and reference the subsequent environment variable in the injection point.

Weakness: CWE-78

Which versions are affected by CVE-2019-12511?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Netgear Nighthawk X10-R9000 Firmware.

How do I fix CVE-2019-12511?

No fix has been published for CVE-2019-12511 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Upgrade, and pass arguments to programs as a list instead of through a shell. More about Command injection.

Is CVE-2019-12511 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2019-12511 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Sources

Also known as GHSA-3c2g-95gg-q68p.

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