CVE-2019-5055 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability in the Host Access Point Daemon (hostapd) on the NETGEAR N300 (WNR2000v5) wireless router with Firmware Version V1.0.0.70 can lead to a denial-of-service attack.

Understanding CVE-2019-5055

This CVE involves a null pointer dereference vulnerability in the hostapd service of the Netgear N300 router.

What is CVE-2019-5055?

The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to crash the hostapd service by sending a specially-crafted SOAP request to the WFAWLANConfig:1#PutMessage service.

The Impact of CVE-2019-5055

CVSS Base Score: 7.5 (High)
Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: Low
Availability Impact: High
Privileges Required: None
This vulnerability can be exploited for denial-of-service purposes without the need for authentication.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-5055

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is a null pointer dereference issue in the hostapd service.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Netgear N300 WNR2000v5
Firmware Version: V1.0.0.70

Exploitation Mechanism

Attacker sends a SOAP request in an incorrect sequence to the WFAWLANConfig:1#PutMessage service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your system from CVE-2019-5055 with these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the firmware to the latest version provided by Netgear.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security advisories and updates from Netgear.
Conduct security assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates promptly to ensure the security of your Netgear N300 router.