CVE-2022-44193 is a critical buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the Netgear R7000P router, specifically version 1.3.1.64. The vulnerability exists in the HTTP daemon (/usr/sbin/httpd) component of the router's firmware, where certain parameters—namely starthour, startminute, endhour, and endminute—are improperly handled. These parameters are likely part of the router's scheduling or time-based configuration interface. Due to insufficient bounds checking on these parameters, an attacker can send specially crafted HTTP requests to trigger a buffer overflow condition. This vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network without requiring any authentication or user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The buffer overflow can lead to arbitrary code execution with high privileges, potentially allowing an attacker to fully compromise the router's operating system. The impact includes complete loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the device, enabling attackers to intercept or manipulate network traffic, disrupt service, or use the device as a foothold for further attacks within the network. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date, the high CVSS score of 9.8 and the nature of the vulnerability make it a significant risk. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), a common and dangerous software weakness. No official patches or vendor advisories were provided in the information, which may indicate delayed or unavailable remediation at the time of reporting.

For European organizations, the exploitation of this vulnerability in Netgear R7000P routers could have severe consequences. Many small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as some larger organizations, use consumer-grade or small office/home office (SOHO) routers like the R7000P due to their cost-effectiveness and performance. A successful attack could lead to full compromise of the network perimeter device, allowing attackers to intercept sensitive communications, inject malicious traffic, or pivot to internal systems. This can result in data breaches, operational disruptions, and potential regulatory non-compliance under GDPR due to compromised confidentiality and integrity of personal data. Additionally, compromised routers can be enlisted in botnets or used to launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, further amplifying the impact on organizational infrastructure and reputation. Given the router’s role as a gateway device, the availability impact is critical, as disruption can halt business operations dependent on internet connectivity. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not diminish the urgency for mitigation, as public disclosure may prompt rapid exploit development.

1. Immediate identification of all Netgear R7000P routers within the organization’s network is essential. Network asset inventories should be updated to include device firmware versions. 2. If possible, isolate vulnerable devices from critical network segments or restrict management interface access to trusted IP addresses only, using firewall rules or VLAN segmentation. 3. Monitor network traffic for unusual HTTP requests targeting the router’s management interface, especially those containing the parameters starthour, startminute, endhour, and endminute. 4. Disable remote management features on the router if not strictly necessary to reduce exposure. 5. Regularly check Netgear’s official channels for firmware updates or security advisories addressing this vulnerability and apply patches promptly once available. 6. Consider replacing vulnerable devices with models that have active security support and timely patching. 7. Employ network intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures or heuristics capable of detecting exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. 8. Educate IT staff on the risks associated with consumer-grade network devices and the importance of timely patching and secure configuration. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on device identification, network segmentation, monitoring of specific parameters, and proactive replacement strategies.