CVE-2021-45500

Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by authentication bypass

Critical · published December 26, 2021

CVSS v3.1
9.6
EPSS
0%
Percentile
40.0
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

🚨 An alarming authentication bypass in NETGEAR devices means a crafty attacker could gain access without any credentials! 🔥 Think of it like a hotel with a back door no one locked — all an intruder needs to do is waltz in, while the front desk is busy checking in guests. This vulnerability allows access to the device without any form of verification, making it all too easy for unwanted guests. An attacker could exploit this flaw to gain complete control over your NETGEAR device, potentially accessing sensitive information about your network and devices. It could lead to unauthorized changes, data interception, and even the hijacking of your network resources. This is absolutely devastating for anyone relying on these routers for home or business security!

Put simply

Think of it like a hotel with a back door no one locked — all an intruder needs to do is waltz in, while the front desk is busy checking in guests. This vulnerability allows access to the device without any form of verification, making it all too easy for unwanted guests. CVE-2021-45500 allows unauthorized users to bypass authentication on NETGEAR R7000P (versions prior to 1.3.3.140) and R8000 (versions prior to 1.0.4.68) devices, meaning an attacker can exploit this vulnerability to gain full administrative access without needing valid credentials.

What to do

An attacker could exploit this flaw to gain complete control over your NETGEAR device, potentially accessing sensitive information about your network and devices. It could lead to unauthorized changes, data interception, and even the hijacking of your network resources. This is absolutely devastating for anyone relying on these routers for home or business security! Immediately upgrade the firmware on your NETGEAR R7000P to version 1.3.3.140 or R8000 to version 1.0.4.68 to patch this critical vulnerability. Additionally, consider changing default passwords and regularly monitoring your network for any suspicious activity. You've got this! By taking these steps, you’ll lock down your network in no time. 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
9.6 · CRITICAL
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AC:L/AV:A/A:L/C:H/I:H/PR:N/S:C/UI:N
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.00474 · 40.0th percentile
Published
2021-12-26T01:03Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 26 DEC 01:03Z
    Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by authentication bypass
    cvelistv5