Code execution via forgeable firmware checksum
Published Dec 20, 2022 · Updated Apr 16, 2025
Firmware integrity bypass in NETGEAR XWN5001 firmware 0.4.1.1 and earlier allows man-in-the-middle attackers to execute code. The update web interface transfers images over HTTP and accepts them when a byte-sum checksum equals -1, allowing compensating bit changes to preserve the checksum after malicious modification. A privileged network position during a firmware update is required; successful flashing can install a backdoor or make the device unavailable.
Summary
What happened
Firmware integrity bypass in NETGEAR XWN5001 firmware 0.4.1.1 and earlier allows man-in-the-middle attackers to execute code. The update web interface transfers images over HTTP and accepts them when a byte-sum checksum equals -1, allowing compensating bit changes to preserve the checksum after malicious modification. A privileged network position during a firmware update is required; successful flashing can install a backdoor or make the device unavailable.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-46424
- Published
- Dec 20, 2022
- Updated
- Apr 16, 2025
- Vendor
- Unknown vendor
- Product
- Unknown product
- Classifications
- T1557
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Dec 20, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 16, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.
Is a vulnerable build present?
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Checksum-preserving XWN5001 firmware modification demonstrationproof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
Check the software in your environment
Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.
Book a demo