Netgear ProSafe switches: Unauthenticated startup-config disclosure and Denial of Service

1. BACKGROUND

According to the vendor, Netgear ProSafe is a cost-effective line of smart switches for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs). The products cover an essential set of network features and easy-to-use web-based management. Power over Ethernet (PoE) and Stacking versions are also available.

2. SUMMARY

A range of ProSafe switches are affected by two different vulnerabilities:
CVE-2013-4775: Unauthenticated startup-config disclosure.
CVE-2013-4776: Denial of Service vulnerability.

3. AFFECTED PRODUCTS AND SOFTWARE

CVE-2013-4775

GS724Tv3 and GS716Tv2 - firmware 5.4.1.13
GS724Tv3 and GS716Tv2 - firmware 5.4.1.10
GS748Tv4 - firmware 5.4.1.14
GS510TP - firmware 5.4.0.6
GS752TPS and GS728TPS - firmware 5.3.0.17
GS728TS and GS725TS - firmware 5.3.0.17
GS752TXS and GS728TXS - firmware 6.1.0.12

CVE-2013-4776

GS724Tv3 and GS716Tv2 - firmware 5.4.1.13
GS724Tv3 and GS716Tv2 - firmware 5.4.1.10
GS748Tv4 - firmware 5.4.1.14
GS510TP - firmware 5.0.4.4

4. VULNERABILITIES

The list below describes the vulnerabilities discovered in the affected software.

4.1 CVE-2013-4775: Unauthenticated startup-config disclosure

The web management application fails to restrict URL access to different application areas.
Remote, unauthenticated attackers could exploit this issue to download the device’s startup-config,
which contains administrator credentials in encrypted form.

[Proof of Concept]
The vulnerability can be exploited with a simple HTTP (GET) request.
Open a browser and visit http://Target-IP/filesystem/startup-config

4.2 CVE-2013-4776: Denial of Service vulnerability

The affected products are prone to a Denial of Service vulnerability. Remote, unauthenticated
attackers could exploit this issue to cause a switch reboot or crash, resulting in a loss of
network connectivity for all devices connected to the switch.

[Proof of Concept]
The vulnerability can be exploited with a simple HTTP (GET) request.
Open a browser and visit http://Target-IP/filesystem/

Implementation of a Proof of Concept for both vulnerabilities can be found here:
http://www.encripto.no/tools/netgear-prosafe-PoC.tar.gz

5. REMEDIATION

No firmware updates or fixes have been released yet.
As a mitigation, the vendor recommends configuring a separate management VLAN and configure
access control via “Security::Access::Access Control” or “Security::ACL::Advanced::IP Extended Rules”.

6. CREDIT

The vulnerabilities were originally discovered in a GS724Tv3 device, by Juan J. Gьelfo at Encripto AS.
E-mail: post [at] encripto [dot] no
Web: http://www.encripto.no

Special thanks to Maarten Hoogcarspel and the Netgear Support Team for verifying other switch
models, and considering possible fixes.

For more information about Encripto’s research policy, please visit http://www.encripto.no/forskning/

7. REFERENCES

http://www.encripto.no/forskning/whitepapers/Netgear_prosafe_advisory_aug_2013.pdf
http://www.encripto.no/tools/netgear-prosafe-PoC.tar.gz

DISCLAIMER

The material presented in this document is for educational purposes only. Encripto AS cannot be
responsible for any loss or damage carried out by any technique presented in this material. The reader is
the only one responsible for applying this knowledge, which is at his / her own risk.
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