CVE-2022-44196

Vulnerability

A buffer overflow vulnerability exists in NETGEAR R7000P router running firmware version V1.3.0.8. The flaw is located in the handling of the openvpn_push1 parameter, which can be exploited to overflow a buffer when processing specially crafted input. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow and can be triggered without authentication if the attacker has network access to the device's management interface or VPN configuration endpoint.

Exploitation

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request or other network packet containing an excessively long openvpn_push1 parameter to the affected NETGEAR R7000P device. No authentication is required if the vulnerable endpoint is exposed, though some configurations may require the attacker to be on the local network. The exploit does not require user interaction beyond the device processing the malicious input.

Impact

Successful exploitation could lead to a buffer overflow, resulting in a denial of service (device crash or reboot) or potentially arbitrary code execution with root privileges on the router, depending on the exploit technique. This would allow an attacker to fully compromise the device, potentially gaining persistent access or using it for further network attacks.

Mitigation

As of the publication date, no official patch has been released by NETGEAR. Users should monitor NETGEAR's security advisory page [1] for updates and consider upgrading to a newer firmware version when available. Until a fix is applied, limiting exposure by restricting remote management access and disabling unused services may reduce risk. The device may be end-of-life or beyond support; if so, replacement with a supported model is recommended.