CVE-2021-45538 : Security Advisory and Response

Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an authenticated user. This affects various models before specific firmware versions.

Understanding CVE-2021-45538

Certain NETGEAR devices are vulnerable to command injection by authenticated users, impacting multiple router models.

What is CVE-2021-45538?

CVE-2021-45538 refers to the vulnerability in NETGEAR devices that allows authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands. This vulnerability affects several specific models before designated firmware versions.

The Impact of CVE-2021-45538

The vulnerability is rated as high severity with a CVSS base score of 8.4 due to its high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, requiring high privileges for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-45538

Certain technical details shed light on the nature of the vulnerability and its implications.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability enables authenticated users to perform command injection on affected NETGEAR devices, posing a severe security risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

RAX75, RAX80 before 1.0.3.106
RBK752, RBR750, RBS750 before 3.2.16.6
RBK852, RBR850, RBS850 before 3.2.16.6

Exploitation Mechanism

The attack complexity is low, with an adjacent network attack vector. It has a high impact on availability, confidentiality, and integrity, requiring high privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-45538.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected devices to the latest firmware versions provided by NETGEAR.
Implement strong authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for firmware updates and security advisories from NETGEAR.
Conduct security audits to identify and remediate other potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure all NETGEAR devices are running the latest firmware to patch the vulnerability and enhance overall security.