CVE-2018-21168
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in certain NETGEAR routers, gateways, and extenders allows unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. Attackers can exploit this flaw to access confidential data without authentication. Affected users include anyone using the listed NETGEAR devices with vulnerable firmware versions.
💻 Affected Systems
- NETGEAR D7000
- D7800
- D8500
- JNR1010v2
- JR6150
- JWNR2010v5
- PR2000
- R6050
- R6220
- R6400
- R6400v2
- R6700v2
- R6800
- R6900v2
- R7300DST
- R7500
- R7500v2
- R7800
- R7900P
- R8000P
- R8300
- R8500
- R9000
- WNDR3700v4
- WNDR3700v5
- WNDR4300
- WNDR4300v2
- WNDR4500v3
- WNR1000v4
- WNR2020
- WNR2050
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of router credentials, network configuration details, and potentially user data leading to full network takeover.
Likely Case
Exposure of administrative credentials, Wi-Fi passwords, and network configuration allowing unauthorized network access.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if device is not internet-facing and network segmentation prevents lateral movement.
🎯 Exploit Status
Information disclosure vulnerability that can be exploited without authentication. Public exploit details available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: See specific version for each model in description (e.g., D7000 1.0.1.52 or later)
Vendor Advisory: https://kb.netgear.com/000055190/Security-Advisory-for-Sensitive-Information-Disclosure-on-Some-Routers-Gateways-and-Extenders-PSV-2017-3059
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Identify your NETGEAR model. 2. Visit NETGEAR support site. 3. Download latest firmware for your model. 4. Log into router admin interface. 5. Navigate to Advanced > Administration > Firmware Update. 6. Upload and install new firmware. 7. Router will reboot automatically.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Remote Management
allPrevents external exploitation by disabling remote administration access
Network Segmentation
allIsolate router management interface to separate VLAN
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Replace affected device with supported model
- Implement strict firewall rules to block access to router management interface from untrusted networks
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check router web interface for firmware version and compare with patched versions listed in advisoryCheck Version:
Access router web interface and navigate to Advanced > Administration > Router Status or similar sectionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm firmware version matches or exceeds patched version for your model📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual access to router management interface
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful access
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected traffic to router management ports (typically 80, 443, 8080)
- External IP addresses accessing router admin interface
SIEM Query:
source="router.logs" AND (url="*password*" OR url="*config*" OR url="*admin*") AND src_ip NOT IN [trusted_networks]