Overview
A critical vulnerability has been discovered in the Netgear EX6200, firmware version 1.0.3.94. This vulnerability has been identified and classified as CVE-2025-4148, presenting a severe risk to the integrity and security of affected systems. The issue resides within the `sub_503FC` function, where an incorrect handling of the ‘host’ argument may lead to buffer overflow. Due to the nature of this vulnerability, the potential for unauthorized remote access and execution of arbitrary code is a notable concern, posing a genuine risk to user data and system stability.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-4148
Severity: Critical (CVSS 8.8)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage
Affected Products
No phone number, email, or personal info required.
Product | Affected Versions
Netgear EX6200 | 1.0.3.94
How the Exploit Works
The vulnerability originates from the `sub_503FC` function, specifically the manipulation of the ‘host’ argument. When this argument is handled incorrectly, it leads to a buffer overflow condition. This condition occurs when more data is written to a buffer than it can hold, causing the excess data to overflow into adjacent memory locations. This can corrupt data, crash the system, or lead to the execution of malicious code. In this case, the vulnerability can be exploited remotely, making it particularly dangerous.
Conceptual Example Code
Here is a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited. In this case, a malicious payload is sent to a vulnerable endpoint, which could cause a buffer overflow:
POST /vulnerable/sub_503FC HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.com
Content-Type: application/json
{ "host": "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA..." }In this example, “A” represents an arbitrary character, and the string length exceeds the buffer capacity, causing it to overflow. This is a simplified representation of an attack; a real-world exploit would likely involve carefully crafted input designed to execute malicious code or disrupt system operation.
Mitigation Guidelines
The ideal mitigation for this vulnerability would be to apply a vendor-supplied patch. However, as of the time of writing, the vendor has not responded to this disclosure. In the absence of a vendor patch, implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) could serve as a temporary mitigation measure by monitoring and potentially blocking malicious traffic. Regular system and software updates, along with robust cybersecurity practices, are also essential in preventing successful exploits.