Netgear Nighthawk R6700 version 1.0.4.120 does not utilize secure communication methods to the web interface. By default, all communication to/from the device's web interface is sent via HTTP, which causes potentially sensitive information (such as usernames and passwords) to be transmitted in cleartext.
Netgear Nighthawk R6700 routers running firmware version 1.0.4.120 are vulnerable to a critical security flaw. This vulnerability allows attackers to intercept sensitive credentials, including usernames and passwords, due to the use of unencrypted HTTP communication for the web interface, leading to potential account compromise and network access. The lack of HTTPS exposes the device to man-in-the-middle attacks.
Step 1: Target Identification: The attacker identifies a vulnerable Netgear R6700 router (firmware 1.0.4.120) on a network or through reconnaissance.
Step 2: Network Sniffing: The attacker positions themselves on the same network segment as the target router, or they can perform a man-in-the-middle attack. This could involve ARP poisoning, DNS spoofing, or simply being on the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 3: Traffic Interception: The attacker uses a network sniffer (e.g., Wireshark, tcpdump) or a proxy server (e.g., Burp Suite) to capture HTTP traffic to and from the router's web interface.
Step 4: Credential Extraction: The attacker analyzes the captured HTTP traffic and extracts the cleartext credentials (username and password) used to log into the router's web interface.
Step 5: Account Compromise: The attacker uses the stolen credentials to log into the router's web interface, gaining administrative control over the device. This allows them to modify network settings, redirect traffic, or potentially install malicious firmware.
The root cause is the absence of HTTPS enforcement in the Netgear R6700's web interface. The device defaults to using HTTP for all communication, including authentication. This design flaw allows attackers to passively capture credentials transmitted in cleartext. The web server logic does not implement any mechanisms to redirect HTTP requests to HTTPS or to encrypt the data transmitted. The vulnerability lies in the insecure configuration of the web server, specifically the lack of SSL/TLS implementation and the absence of a secure communication protocol. This is not a code-level flaw, but a configuration and design flaw that allows for easy interception of sensitive information.