CVE-2024-52014 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in multiple Netgear router models: R8500 v1.0.2.160, XR300 v1.0.3.78, R7000P v1.3.3.154, and R6400 v2 1.0.4.128. The vulnerability resides in the genie_pptp.cgi web interface component, specifically through improper handling of the pptp_user_ip parameter in POST requests. When a specially crafted POST request is sent to this CGI endpoint, it causes a stack overflow condition, which can crash the router’s web service or potentially the entire device, resulting in denial of service. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-120 (Classic Buffer Overflow). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.7, reflecting medium severity, with attack vector as adjacent network (AV:A), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and impact limited to availability (A:H) without affecting confidentiality or integrity. Exploitation requires the attacker to have access to the router’s management interface or be on the same network segment, as the attack vector is adjacent network. No public exploits or patches are currently available, so mitigation relies on network controls and monitoring. This vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers to disrupt network connectivity by crashing affected routers, impacting business continuity and network availability.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-52014 is denial of service, which can disrupt network operations by crashing affected Netgear routers. This can cause temporary loss of internet connectivity and internal network access for organizations relying on these devices. While confidentiality and integrity are not directly impacted, the availability disruption can affect business operations, especially for small and medium enterprises or home offices using these routers as their primary network gateway. In environments where these routers are deployed in critical network segments, such as branch offices or remote sites, the DoS could lead to operational downtime and increased support costs. Since exploitation requires adjacent network access and low privileges, attackers could be insiders or compromised devices within the local network. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability remains a concern until patched. Organizations with these devices should consider the risk of targeted DoS attacks and the potential cascading effects on dependent services.

1. Restrict access to the router’s management interfaces, especially the genie_pptp.cgi endpoint, by limiting access to trusted IP addresses or VLANs. 2. Disable PPTP VPN functionality if not in use, as this reduces the attack surface related to the vulnerable parameter. 3. Monitor network traffic for unusual POST requests targeting genie_pptp.cgi and implement intrusion detection/prevention rules to block malformed requests. 4. Segment networks to isolate critical infrastructure from general user devices to reduce the risk of adjacent network exploitation. 5. Regularly check Netgear’s official security advisories for patches or firmware updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 6. Consider deploying network-level DoS protection mechanisms to mitigate potential service disruptions. 7. Educate network administrators about the vulnerability and ensure incident response plans include steps for router-related DoS events.