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Forum Discussion
HaroldCarl
Jan 25, 2019Tutor
Security Gap: How to enable https communication between orbi RBR50 router and RBS50 satellite
It seems that there is a high security risk in the communication (normal and backhaul) (RBK50) with occurs between the Orbi RBR50 and RBS50. The communications are http and not https.
I would l...
FURRYe38
Jan 25, 2019Guru - Experienced User
What FW version do you have loaded?
Can you let us know how your finding this?
Does this happen in router mode as well?
What security mode do you have set on the Orbi? WPA2 and AES only is recommended.
You should file a support ticket here and notifiy NG:
https://www.netgear.com/mynetgear/registration/login.aspx
HaroldCarl wrote:
It seems that there is a high security risk in the communication (normal and backhaul) (RBK50) with occurs between the Orbi RBR50 and RBS50. The communications are http and not https.
I would like to see if anyone has a fix for this, especially when using theses products in AP mode?
It seems that this has not been addressed as a part of the most recent firmware?
CrimpOn
Jan 25, 2019Guru - Experienced User
I, also, am interested in how this conclusion about the backhaul was reached.
It is well-known that the connection to Orbi's web interface is HTTP instead of HTTPS. This is one reason the default configuration is not to allow "remote administration." It is also a reason to use a wired computer to administer the router. (Not just Orbi, but any router that uses HTTP.) No packets "in the air" is reasonably secure.
Traffic between the router and satellites is encrypted. Here's a community thread discussing the process: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Orbi-Backbone-Password-Generation/td-p/1260457
As the thread mentions, anyone who lacks confidence in Netgear's randomly generated password can create their own on the Orbi web interface by going to Advanced->Wireless Settings->Backhaul Password.
I think we're always concerned about potential security threats and want to know what you found.