CVE-2024-51005 is a command injection vulnerability identified in the Netgear R8500 router firmware version 1.0.2.160. The vulnerability resides in the usb_remote_smb_conf.cgi CGI script, specifically in the handling of the share_name parameter. This parameter is vulnerable because it fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input, allowing an attacker to inject arbitrary operating system commands. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network (Attack Vector: Adjacent Network), requires low attack complexity, and only low privileges (authenticated user) are needed. No user interaction is required for exploitation. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to full device compromise. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.0, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability is classified under CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command), a common and dangerous class of injection flaws. The lack of an official patch at the time of publication increases the urgency for defensive measures. This vulnerability could be leveraged to pivot into internal networks, disrupt network services, or exfiltrate sensitive data from affected devices.

The impact of CVE-2024-51005 is significant for organizations using the Netgear R8500 router, especially in environments where these devices are deployed as critical network infrastructure components. Exploitation can lead to full device compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands, potentially resulting in unauthorized access to internal networks, data exfiltration, disruption of network services, or use of the device as a foothold for further attacks. The compromise of router devices can undermine network confidentiality, integrity, and availability, affecting business operations and exposing sensitive information. Given the router's role in managing network traffic and USB SMB sharing, attackers could manipulate file shares or disrupt connectivity. The requirement for only low privileges and no user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation, increasing the risk. Organizations without proper network segmentation or monitoring may face lateral movement and persistent threats. The absence of known public exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high CVSS score indicates that once exploits emerge, the threat will be critical.

1. Immediately restrict access to the router's management interface and the usb_remote_smb_conf.cgi endpoint to trusted networks only, using firewall rules or network segmentation. 2. Enforce strong authentication and limit user privileges to reduce the risk of low-privilege exploitation. 3. Monitor network traffic for anomalous or suspicious requests targeting the usb_remote_smb_conf.cgi endpoint, especially those containing unusual or malformed share_name parameters. 4. Disable USB SMB sharing functionality if not required to reduce the attack surface. 5. Regularly check Netgear's official channels for firmware updates addressing this vulnerability and apply patches promptly once available. 6. Implement network intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures or heuristics capable of detecting command injection attempts targeting this CGI script. 7. Conduct internal audits of devices to identify all instances of the Netgear R8500 and verify firmware versions to prioritize remediation. 8. Educate network administrators about this vulnerability and ensure incident response plans include steps for compromised network devices. 9. Consider deploying network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices from critical assets to limit potential lateral movement.