CVE-2024-51004 identifies multiple stack overflow vulnerabilities in the usb_device.cgi component of Netgear R8500 v1.0.2.160 and R7000P v1.3.3.154 routers. The flaws reside in the handling of the cifs_user, read_access, and write_access parameters, which are processed via POST requests. These parameters are vulnerable to stack-based buffer overflows, categorized under CWE-120, which can be triggered by sending specially crafted POST requests to the affected CGI endpoint. Successful exploitation results in a Denial of Service (DoS) condition by crashing the device or causing it to become unresponsive. The attack vector requires authenticated access (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and can be executed remotely over the network (AV:A). The vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity but severely impacts availability. No patches or mitigations have been officially released at the time of publication, and no exploits have been observed in the wild. The vulnerability is rated medium severity with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.7, reflecting the moderate impact and exploitation complexity.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-51004 is a Denial of Service on affected Netgear routers, which can disrupt network connectivity and availability for organizations relying on these devices. This can affect home users, small businesses, and enterprises using these models as part of their network infrastructure. The DoS can lead to downtime, loss of productivity, and potential cascading failures in dependent systems. Since the vulnerability requires authentication, the risk is somewhat mitigated by proper access controls, but insider threats or compromised credentials could enable exploitation. The lack of confidentiality or integrity impact reduces the risk of data breaches but does not diminish the operational disruption potential. Organizations with critical network infrastructure using these routers may face significant operational risks until patches are available.

1. Restrict access to the router’s management interface to trusted networks and users only, ideally via VPN or secure management VLANs. 2. Enforce strong authentication mechanisms and regularly update credentials to prevent unauthorized access. 3. Monitor router logs and network traffic for unusual POST requests targeting usb_device.cgi or related parameters. 4. Disable or limit USB-related services or features if not required, reducing the attack surface. 5. Implement network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices from critical systems. 6. Stay alert for official patches or firmware updates from Netgear and apply them promptly once released. 7. Consider deploying intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with custom signatures to detect exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. 8. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on router and network device security.