Advisory Details

This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of NETGEAR R6700 routers. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.

The specific flaw exists within the encryption of firmware update images. The issue results from the use of an inappropriate encryption algorithm. An attacker can leverage this in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to execute code in the context of root.

This vulnerability is being disclosed publicly without a patch in accordance with the ZDI 120 day deadline.

11/14/19 – ZDI reported the vulnerabilities to the vendor
11/20/19 – The vendor asked for clarification on the submissions
11/20/19 – ZDI provided the details
03/25/20 – ZDI requested a status update
03/27/20 – The vendor requested an extension until the end of May
03/30/20 – ZDI agreed on the extension
05/28/20 – ZDI requested a status update
05/29/20 – The vendor requested an extension until the end of June
05/29/20 – ZDI declined the request and notified the vendor the cases would be published as 0-day advisories on 06/08/20

-- Mitigation:
Given the nature of the vulnerability, the only salient mitigation strategy is to restrict interaction with the service to trusted machines. Only the clients and servers that have a legitimate procedural relationship with the service should be permitted to communicate with it. This could be accomplished in a number of ways, most notably with firewall rules/whitelisting.

• 2019-11-15 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
• 2020-06-15 - Coordinated public release of advisory