CVE-2021-38528 : Security Advisory and Response

Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection vulnerability that allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute commands. This impacts several models including D8500, R6900P, R7000P, R7100LG, WNDR3400v3, and XR300.

Understanding CVE-2021-38528

This CVE describes a critical vulnerability in NETGEAR devices that enables unauthenticated attackers to perform command injection.

What is CVE-2021-38528?

CVE-2021-38528 is a command injection vulnerability impacting specific NETGEAR devices, potentially leading to unauthorized command execution by threat actors without the need for authentication.

The Impact of CVE-2021-38528

The vulnerability poses a critical threat as attackers can exploit it to execute arbitrary commands on the affected devices. This could result in unauthorized access, data theft, or even complete device compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-38528

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to inject and execute arbitrary commands on vulnerable NETGEAR devices, including models such as D8500, R6900P, R7000P, R7100LG, WNDR3400v3, and XR300.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following device versions are impacted by CVE-2021-38528:

D8500 before 1.0.3.58
R6900P before 1.3.2.132
R7000P before 1.3.2.132
R7100LG before 1.0.0.64
WNDR3400v3 before 1.0.1.38
XR300 before 1.0.3.56

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious commands into the affected devices, potentially leading to unauthorized remote code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

To secure your devices from CVE-2021-38528, follow the recommended mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the firmware of the affected devices to the latest patched versions provided by NETGEAR.
Restrict network access to the devices and implement proper firewall rules to limit exposure.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories from NETGEAR and apply patches promptly.
Implement network segmentation to isolate critical devices and reduce the attack surface.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of firmware updates and security patches released by NETGEAR to address CVE-2021-38528 and other potential vulnerabilities.