Firmware downgrade via MITM image replacement
Published Sep 20, 2022 · Updated May 28, 2025
Improper integrity validation in Netgear WPN824EXT Firmware 1.1.1_1.1.9 and earlier allows remote attackers to downgrade firmware via a man-in-the-middle attack. The firmware upload process accepts an original older image without enforcing anti-downgrade integrity checks, allowing replacement of the user-submitted image. A man-in-the-middle position and firmware-upload access are required; the demonstrated consequence is installation of an older, vulnerable firmware image that compromises device integrity.
Summary
What happened
Improper integrity validation in Netgear WPN824EXT Firmware 1.1.1_1.1.9 and earlier allows remote attackers to downgrade firmware via a man-in-the-middle attack. The firmware upload process accepts an original older image without enforcing anti-downgrade integrity checks, allowing replacement of the user-submitted image. A man-in-the-middle position and firmware-upload access are required; the demonstrated consequence is installation of an older, vulnerable firmware image that compromises device integrity.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-38956
- Published
- Sep 20, 2022
- Updated
- May 28, 2025
- Vendor
- Unknown vendor
- Product
- Unknown product
- Classifications
- CWE-354, T1601.001
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Sep 20, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- May 28, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
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Attacks
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