CVE-2021-37583 – This vulnerability in MediaTek Wi-Fi chipsets a... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2021-37583?

CVE-2021-37583 has a CVSS score of 8.2 (HIGH). This vulnerability in MediaTek Wi-Fi chipsets allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service through an out-of-bounds write in IEEE 1905 protocol handling. It affects NETGEAR and other devices using specified MediaTek chipsets. The vulnerability requires network proximity but can be exploited without authentication.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability in MediaTek Wi-Fi chipsets allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service through an out-of-bounds write in IEEE 1905 protocol handling. It affects NETGEAR and other devices using specified MediaTek chipsets. The vulnerability requires network proximity but can be exploited without authentication.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

NETGEAR routers and access points with MediaTek chipsets
Other devices using affected MediaTek Wi-Fi chips

Versions: Software versions up to and including 2.0.2

Operating Systems: Embedded Linux/RTOS on affected networking devices

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Devices must have IEEE 1905 protocol enabled (often default on modern Wi-Fi devices). Specific NETGEAR models listed in their advisory.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Remote code execution leading to complete device compromise, persistent backdoor installation, and lateral movement within the network.

🟠

Likely Case

Denial of service causing Wi-Fi disruption, device crashes, or limited code execution within the wireless subsystem.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact if devices are patched, isolated from untrusted networks, and have IEEE 1905 disabled.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM - Requires attacker to be on the same network segment, but many affected devices are consumer routers with internet-facing interfaces.

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Attackers on internal networks can exploit this to compromise network infrastructure and pivot to other systems.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires sending specially crafted IEEE 1905 packets to vulnerable devices. No public exploit code available as of knowledge cutoff.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Versions after 2.0.2

Vendor Advisory: https://kb.netgear.com/000064368/Security-Advisory-for-WiFi-WPS-and-IEEE-1905-Vulnerabilities-on-Multiple-Products-PSV-2021-0298-PSV-2021-0300

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Check NETGEAR advisory for specific affected models. 2. Download latest firmware from NETGEAR support site. 3. Upload firmware via web interface. 4. Reboot device after update completes.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable IEEE 1905 (EasyMesh/Seamless Roaming)

all

Turn off IEEE 1905 protocol if not required for network functionality.

Network Segmentation

all

Isolate affected devices on separate VLANs to limit attack surface.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Replace affected devices with non-vulnerable hardware
Implement strict network access controls and monitor for anomalous IEEE 1905 traffic

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check device firmware version against NETGEAR advisory. If version is 2.0.2 or earlier and uses affected MediaTek chipset, device is vulnerable.

Check Version:

Check web interface under Administration > Firmware Update or via SSH: cat /proc/version (varies by device)

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify firmware version is updated beyond 2.0.2. Test IEEE 1905 functionality if required for network operations.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unexpected device reboots
Wi-Fi subsystem crashes
Memory corruption errors in system logs

Network Indicators:

Anomalous IEEE 1905 protocol traffic
Malformed packets to UDP port 1905

SIEM Query:

source="network_device" AND (port=1905 AND (payload_size>normal OR malformed_packet=TRUE))

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2021-37583

CVSS v3 Score: 8.2 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:L

CWE: CWE-787

Published: December 26, 2021

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://corp.mediatek.com/product-security-bulletin/January-2022 Vendor Advisory
https://kb.netgear.com/000064368/Security-Advisory-for-WiFi-WPS-and-IEEE-1905-Vulnerabilities-on-Multiple-Products-PSV-2021-0298-PSV-2021-0300 Third Party Advisory
https://corp.mediatek.com/product-security-bulletin/January-2022 Vendor Advisory
https://kb.netgear.com/000064368/Security-Advisory-for-WiFi-WPS-and-IEEE-1905-Vulnerabilities-on-Multiple-Products-PSV-2021-0298-PSV-2021-0300 Third Party Advisory

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