CVE-2024-50993 is a command injection vulnerability identified in the Netgear R8500 router firmware version 1.0.2.160. The vulnerability resides in the sysNewPasswd parameter of the admin_account.cgi CGI script, which is responsible for handling password changes on the device. An attacker with low privileges can craft a specially formed HTTP request targeting this parameter to inject arbitrary operating system commands. This injection occurs because the input is not properly sanitized before being passed to system-level command execution functions, classified under CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command). The vulnerability requires authentication but no user interaction, and the attack vector is remote over the network (AV:A). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.0, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H) with low attack complexity (AC:L). Exploiting this flaw could allow attackers to gain control over the router, manipulate network traffic, deploy malware, or pivot to internal networks. Although no known exploits are currently observed in the wild, the lack of available patches increases the urgency for mitigation. The vulnerability was reserved on October 28, 2024, and published on November 5, 2024, indicating recent discovery and disclosure.

The impact of CVE-2024-50993 is significant for organizations and individuals using the Netgear R8500 router. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the router’s operating system, potentially leading to full device compromise. This can result in unauthorized access to network traffic, interception of sensitive data, disruption of network services, and use of the device as a foothold for further attacks within the internal network. The compromise of network infrastructure devices like routers can severely undermine organizational security, leading to data breaches, service outages, and reputational damage. Because the vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability, attackers could manipulate routing, redirect traffic, or disable network connectivity. The requirement for authentication limits exploitation to some extent, but many routers have weak or default credentials, increasing risk. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk of future attacks once exploit code becomes available.

To mitigate CVE-2024-50993, organizations should immediately restrict administrative access to the Netgear R8500 router by limiting management interfaces to trusted networks and IP addresses, preferably via VPN or secure management VLANs. Change default or weak passwords to strong, unique credentials to reduce the risk posed by the authentication requirement. Monitor router logs and network traffic for unusual activity indicative of command injection attempts or unauthorized access. Disable remote management features if not required. Employ network segmentation to isolate critical infrastructure from general user networks. Since no official patches are currently available, maintain close communication with Netgear for firmware updates and apply them promptly once released. Consider deploying intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures targeting command injection attempts on router management interfaces. As a longer-term measure, evaluate the security posture of network devices and consider upgrading to models with better security track records and timely vendor support.