CVE-2021-45631 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an unauthenticated attacker.

Understanding CVE-2021-45631

What is CVE-2021-45631?

Certain NETGEAR devices, including CBR40, CBR750, RBK752, RBR750, RBS750, RBK852, RBR850, and RBS850, are impacted by a command injection vulnerability that can be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker.

The Impact of CVE-2021-45631

This vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 9.6, making it critical. The attack complexity is low, with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, requiring no privileged access.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-45631

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands on affected NETGEAR devices.

Affected Systems and Versions

CBR40 before 2.5.0.24
CBR750 before 4.6.3.6
RBK752, RBR750, RBS750, RBK852, RBR850, and RBS850 before 3.2.17.12

Exploitation Mechanism

The attacker can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious commands into the affected devices, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the affected devices to the latest firmware versions provided by NETGEAR.
Implement strong network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and security patches for all connected devices.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

NETGEAR has released patches to address this vulnerability. Ensure prompt application of these updates to mitigate the risk of exploitation.