CVE-2024-52024
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) on affected Netgear routers by sending a specially crafted POST request that triggers a stack overflow in the pppoe_localip parameter. It affects Netgear XR300, R7000P, and R6400 routers running specific vulnerable firmware versions. Attackers can crash the router's web interface or potentially the entire device.
💻 Affected Systems
- Netgear XR300
- Netgear R7000P
- Netgear R6400
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete router crash requiring physical power cycle, potential remote code execution if stack overflow can be controlled to execute arbitrary code (though not confirmed in this CVE).
Likely Case
Denial of Service causing router web interface to crash, potentially disrupting network connectivity until router is rebooted.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if routers are behind firewalls with restricted web interface access and proper network segmentation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Public GitHub repository contains proof-of-concept exploit code. Exploitation requires sending a crafted POST request to the vulnerable endpoint.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check Netgear security advisory for latest patched versions
Vendor Advisory: https://www.netgear.com/about/security/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Log into router web interface. 2. Navigate to Administration > Firmware Update. 3. Check for updates or manually download latest firmware from Netgear support site. 4. Upload and install firmware update. 5. Reboot router after installation completes.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Remote Management
allPrevent external access to router web interface
Router web interface: Advanced > Administration > Remote Management > Disable
Restrict Web Interface Access
allLimit web interface access to specific trusted IP addresses
Router web interface: Advanced > Security > Access Control > Add trusted IP ranges
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Place routers behind firewalls with strict inbound rules blocking access to web management ports (typically 80/443)
- Implement network segmentation to isolate routers from untrusted networks and users
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check router firmware version in web interface under Advanced > Administration > Router StatusCheck Version:
Router web interface: Advanced > Administration > Router Status shows firmware versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version has been updated to a version newer than those listed in affected versions📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple POST requests to /wizpppoe.cgi with unusually long pppoe_localip parameters
- Router crash/reboot logs
- Web interface access logs showing exploitation attempts
Network Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to router management interface
- Sudden loss of router connectivity
- HTTP requests with oversized parameter values
SIEM Query:
source="router_logs" AND (uri="/wizpppoe.cgi" AND method="POST" AND param_length>1000) OR (event="crash" AND device_type="router")