CVE-2016-10174
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on NETGEAR WNR2000v5 routers by exploiting a buffer overflow in the web interface. Attackers can gain full control of affected routers, potentially compromising all network traffic. Only users of this specific router model are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- NETGEAR WNR2000v5
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete router compromise allowing attacker to intercept all network traffic, install persistent malware, pivot to internal network devices, and use router as botnet node.
Likely Case
Router takeover leading to DNS hijacking, credential theft from network traffic, and installation of backdoors.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if router is behind firewall with restricted WAN access, though internal attackers could still exploit.
🎯 Exploit Status
Multiple public exploits available including Metasploit module. Exploitation requires sending crafted HTTP request to router's web interface.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: V1.0.0.70
Vendor Advisory: http://kb.netgear.com/000036549/Insecure-Remote-Access-and-Command-Execution-Security-Vulnerability
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Log into router admin interface. 2. Navigate to Advanced > Administration > Router Update. 3. Click Check for updates. 4. If V1.0.0.70 is available, click Update. 5. Wait for router to reboot automatically.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Remote Management
allPrevent external access to router web interface
Log into router > Advanced > Remote Management > Uncheck 'Turn Remote Management On'
Block Web Interface Access
linuxUse firewall rules to restrict access to router IP on port 80/443
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -s ! 192.168.1.0/24 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s ! 192.168.1.0/24 -j DROP
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Replace router with supported model that receives security updates
- Place router behind dedicated firewall with strict inbound rules blocking all access to router management interface
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check router firmware version in admin interface under Advanced > Administration > Router Status. If version is below V1.0.0.70, router is vulnerable.Check Version:
curl -s http://routerlogin.com/ | grep -i firmware || wget -qO- http://routerlogin.com/ | grep -i firmwareVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm firmware version shows V1.0.0.70 or higher in router admin interface.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests to /apply.cgi?/lang_check.html with long hidden_lang_avi parameter
- Unusual process execution from router web server
- Failed login attempts followed by successful exploit patterns
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to router IP on port 80/443 with buffer overflow patterns in parameters
- Unusual outbound connections from router to unknown IPs
SIEM Query:
source="router.log" AND (url="/apply.cgi?/lang_check.html" OR (method="POST" AND param_length>1000))🔗 References
- http://kb.netgear.com/000036549/Insecure-Remote-Access-and-Command-Execution-Security-Vulnerability
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Dec/72
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95867
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/pedrib/PoC/master/advisories/netgear-wnr2000.txt
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40949/
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41719/
- http://kb.netgear.com/000036549/Insecure-Remote-Access-and-Command-Execution-Security-Vulnerability
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Dec/72
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95867
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/pedrib/PoC/master/advisories/netgear-wnr2000.txt
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40949/
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41719/
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-10174
