CVE-2024-48457: Netis Router Information Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2024-48457 Overview

CVE-2024-48457 is an information disclosure vulnerability affecting multiple Netis wireless router models. A remote attacker can obtain sensitive information by accessing the /cgi-bin/skk_set.cgi endpoint and the /bin/scripts/start_wifi.sh binary. The flaw is classified under [CWE-125] (Out-of-Bounds Read) and requires no authentication or user interaction. Affected devices include the Netis Wifi6 Router NX10, Wifi 11AC Routers NC65, NC63, NC21, and the Wifi Router MW5360. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network and exposes confidential data such as router configuration and wireless settings.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can retrieve sensitive router configuration data, including potential credentials and wireless network parameters, by issuing crafted HTTP requests.

Affected Products

Netis Wifi6 Router NX10 firmware 2.0.1.3643 and 2.0.1.3582
Netis Wifi 11AC Router NC65 firmware 3.0.0.3749, NC63 firmware 3.0.0.3327 and 3.0.0.3503
Netis Wifi 11AC Router NC21 firmware 3.0.0.3800, 3.0.0.3500, 3.0.0.3329, and Netis MW5360 firmware 1.0.1.3442 and 1.0.1.3031

Discovery Timeline

2025-01-06 - CVE-2024-48457 published to NVD
2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-48457

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the router's web management interface, specifically in the CGI handler /cgi-bin/skk_set.cgi. The handler interacts with the shell script /bin/scripts/start_wifi.sh, which references wireless configuration parameters. An unauthenticated remote attacker can query this endpoint and receive sensitive information in the response. The flaw maps to [CWE-125] (Out-of-Bounds Read), indicating that the CGI binary reads memory beyond an intended boundary and returns that data to the requester. Because the endpoint is reachable over the network without credentials, exploitation requires only HTTP access to the router's management interface.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper boundary validation in the skk_set.cgi binary, which processes wireless configuration requests handled by start_wifi.sh. The handler does not enforce authentication on the affected code path and reads outside the bounds of a buffer that contains configuration data. The leaked memory region holds sensitive wireless and system parameters.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based with low complexity. An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to /cgi-bin/skk_set.cgi on the router's management interface, typically on port 80 or 443. No authentication, privileges, or user interaction are required. The server responds with data containing sensitive information drawn from the wireless configuration logic. Exploitation is straightforward against any reachable, unpatched device, including routers exposed to the WAN side through misconfiguration.

Vulnerability mechanism summary:
Client -> HTTP GET /cgi-bin/skk_set.cgi -> router CGI handler
      -> start_wifi.sh references unbounded buffer
      -> server returns sensitive wireless configuration in response body

See the GitHub Project Overview for additional technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-48457

Indicators of Compromise

Unauthenticated HTTP requests to /cgi-bin/skk_set.cgi originating from external or unexpected internal IP addresses
HTTP response bodies from the router containing wireless configuration strings, SSIDs, or credential-like values
Repeated probing of Netis-specific CGI endpoints across short time windows
Outbound queries from network scanners fingerprinting Netis web server banners

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server access logs on Netis devices for requests targeting /cgi-bin/skk_set.cgi or related CGI paths
Deploy network intrusion detection signatures matching HTTP requests to the affected endpoint on router management ports
Use network flow analysis to identify external sources contacting router admin interfaces on TCP 80 or 443
Correlate router access logs with threat intelligence feeds tracking scanning campaigns targeting SOHO routers

Monitoring Recommendations

Continuously monitor management plane traffic to consumer-grade routers within enterprise and branch networks
Alert on HTTP responses from router IPs that exceed baseline size or contain configuration keywords
Track firmware versions of deployed Netis devices and flag any matching the affected versions listed above

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-48457

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict access to the router's web management interface so it is reachable only from trusted LAN segments
Disable remote (WAN-side) administration on all affected Netis routers until a firmware update is available
Inventory deployed Netis devices and compare firmware versions against the affected list to identify exposed units
Place affected routers behind a segmentation boundary that blocks inbound HTTP and HTTPS to the management interface

Patch Information

At the time of NVD publication, no vendor patch URL is referenced in the CVE record. Administrators should monitor the Netis support portal for firmware updates addressing the skk_set.cgi information disclosure issue and apply updates as soon as they are released. Refer to the GitHub Project Overview for ongoing research updates on this issue.

Workarounds

Block inbound TCP 80 and 443 to the router's WAN interface using upstream firewall rules
Place affected routers on an isolated VLAN with strict access control lists limiting management access to a dedicated admin host
Replace end-of-life or unsupported Netis models with vendor-supported hardware where firmware updates remain unavailable

bash

# Example iptables rule to block external access to router admin interface
iptables -A INPUT -i wan0 -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -i wan0 -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP