CVE-2021-45617 represents a critical vulnerability affecting various NETGEAR devices. This vulnerability allows command injection by an unauthenticated attacker, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control over the affected systems. The severity is classified as critical due to a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating the high risk associated with exploitation. Organizations utilizing vulnerable NETGEAR devices face significant security challenges if they fail to address this issue promptly.
The vulnerability affects multiple NETGEAR devices, including the CBR40, EAX20, EAX80, and several models in the R7000 and R8000 series, among others. The exploitation status indicates that there is currently no known public exploit available, but given the nature of the vulnerability, organizations should remain vigilant and prioritize mitigation efforts.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The available patches for affected devices must be applied to ensure protection against potential exploitation. Failure to act could result in severe consequences, including data breaches and compromised network integrity.
In conclusion, CVE-2021-45617 presents a critical risk to NETGEAR device users, emphasizing the need for immediate action. Organizations should assess their systems and apply the necessary updates to safeguard their network environments.
Vulnerability Details
The official CVE description highlights that certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection, which can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers. This vulnerability impacts various firmware versions, including CBR40 before 2.5.0.24, EAX20 before 1.0.0.48, R6400 before 1.0.1.68, and many others. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-77, indicating command injection weaknesses.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.8, categorizing it as critical. The high score reflects the potential for significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems. The attack vector is categorized as NETWORK, and the attack complexity is low, meaning that exploitation can be easily executed by an attacker without substantial effort.
The publication date of this vulnerability is December 26, 2021, with its status modified. Organizations should refer to their device's firmware version against the affected product list to determine if they are at risk.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2021-45617 is a flaw in the handling of user input, leading to command injection vulnerabilities. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected devices remotely. The attack vector is network-based, requiring no privileges and no user interaction, making it particularly dangerous.
The attack complexity is low, indicating that attackers can exploit this vulnerability with minimal effort. Given the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, organizations must prioritize remediation to secure their networks against potential exploitation.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and control over vulnerable NETGEAR devices, which could lead to data breaches, network disruptions, and unauthorized activities. The potential blast radius is significant, impacting not just the devices themselves but also any connected systems and sensitive data they manage.
Given the critical nature of the vulnerability, organizations should assess the urgency based on the CVSS score and the potential for exploitation. Immediate action is necessary to mitigate risks and maintain the integrity of network security.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include various firmware versions for NETGEAR devices, specifically: CBR40 before 2.5.0.24, EAX20 before 1.0.0.48, EAX80 before 1.0.1.64, EX7500 before 1.0.0.72, R6400 before 1.0.1.68, R6900P before 1.3.2.132, R7000 before 1.0.11.116, R7000P before 1.3.2.132, R7900 before 1.0.4.38, R7960P before 1.4.1.66, R8000 before 1.0.4.66, RAX200 before 1.0.3.106 and others.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to protect affected NETGEAR devices. Ensure to upgrade to the latest firmware versions as specified by NETGEAR. In cases where patches are not available, consider implementing network controls and monitoring to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability. Regularly review and harden configurations to minimize exposure.
For comprehensive security validation, organizations should engage in penetration testing to identify weaknesses and ensure that all security measures are effective.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring logs for indicators of compromise and behavioral anomalies is essential. Look for unusual commands or configurations in logs that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, keep track of network signatures and any unauthorized system changes that may suggest an active attack.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-45617 highlights the ongoing risks associated with command injection vulnerabilities in networking equipment. As security teams analyze patterns in exploitation, it is crucial to develop strategic defenses against similar vulnerabilities. Organizations must remain proactive in their security posture, regularly updating their systems and employing best practices to mitigate risks.
For further insights on network security, consider reading our article on network security architecture design principles and enhance your understanding of effective security strategies.
Additionally, organizations can benefit from our guide on penetration testing methodology to understand how to effectively assess their security landscape.
Finally, our vulnerability management program design article provides valuable insights into maintaining an effective security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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