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CVE-2021-20090: Critical Vulnerability in Buffalo WSR-2533DHPL2 and WSR-2533DHP3 Firmware

A critical path traversal vulnerability exists in Buffalo WSR-2533DHPL2 and WSR-2533DHP3 firmware versions, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to bypass authentication. Immediate patching is essential to prevent potential exploitation.

CRITICALKnown ExploitedCVSS 9.8 · Published April 29, 2021

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A path traversal vulnerability in the web interfaces of Buffalo WSR-2533DHPL2 firmware version <= 1.02 and WSR-2533DHP3 firmware version <= 1.24 could allow unauthenticated remote attackers to bypass authentication. This vulnerability has been classified as critical due to its CVSS score of 9.8, indicating a severe risk to affected systems.

Organizations utilizing these firmware versions should recognize the importance of addressing this vulnerability promptly. Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive information, which could lead to significant data breaches or further exploitation.

Currently, this vulnerability is actively monitored and has been added to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Defenders are encouraged to review their systems for the affected firmware versions and take necessary actions to remediate the risk.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to bypass authentication due to a path traversal flaw in the Buffalo WSR-2533DHPL2 and WSR-2533DHP3 firmware. The official CVE description highlights that this issue can expose sensitive information, posing a critical risk to systems using the affected firmware versions.

The CVSS score of 9.8 indicates a critical severity level with a high potential for impact. The attack vector is network-based, requiring low complexity with no privileges or user interactions necessary for exploitation.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of this vulnerability is a path traversal issue, which allows attackers to manipulate file paths and access files outside of the intended directories. This typically occurs when user input is not properly validated, enabling attackers to craft requests that access sensitive files.

The attack vector is network-based, meaning an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely without any physical access to the device. The attack complexity is low, with no privileges required and no user interaction necessary. Upon successful exploitation, the impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all rated high.

Risk & Impact Analysis

The real-world risk associated with this vulnerability is significant, as it allows attackers to bypass authentication and potentially access sensitive information. The blast radius includes any organization using the affected firmware in their network infrastructure, which could lead to data breaches, unauthorized access, and further exploitation.

With the vulnerability being included in the KEV catalog, organizations should recognize the urgency of remediation. The critical CVSS score indicates that this vulnerability should be prioritized in patching cycles to prevent possible exploitation.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

Yes

Public PoC

Yes

Actively Exploited

Yes

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The affected products include Buffalo WSR-2533DHPL2 firmware versions <= 1.02 and WSR-2533DHP3 firmware versions <= 1.24. Organizations should ensure they are not running these versions to avoid exposure to the vulnerability.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations should apply updates per vendor instructions to remediate this vulnerability. If patches are not available, consider implementing network controls to limit exposure and monitor for any unauthorized access attempts.

Additional recommendations include enhancing configuration hardening and conducting regular vulnerability assessments. Continuous security testing can also help identify potential weaknesses and validate remediation effectiveness through penetration testing to ensure the security posture of the organization.

Detection Guidance

To detect potential exploitation attempts, organizations should monitor logs for unusual access patterns and behavioral anomalies. Look for indicators such as access to sensitive files or unauthorized authentication bypass attempts.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of this vulnerability highlights the need for robust security practices in firmware development and deployment. This case exemplifies the risks associated with inadequate input validation and the potential for unauthorized access.

Security teams should take this incident as a lesson to regularly review and audit their firmware and software for known vulnerabilities. For comprehensive security strategies, organizations can consider implementing penetration testing methodologies and understand the patterns of vulnerabilities that lead to breaches.

Additionally, organizations should stay informed about vulnerability management programs to ensure ongoing protection against emerging threats and vulnerabilities.

By adopting a proactive approach to security and continuously assessing vulnerabilities, organizations can better safeguard their infrastructure against similar risks in the future.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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