CVE-2021-41449
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows remote unauthenticated attackers to perform path traversal attacks on Netgear RAX35, RAX38, and RAX40 routers, enabling access to sensitive restricted files via specially crafted HTTP packets. Attackers can read forbidden files from the web application without authentication. Only users with affected router models running firmware versions before v1.0.4.102 are impacted.
💻 Affected Systems
- Netgear RAX35
- Netgear RAX38
- Netgear RAX40
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers gain access to sensitive configuration files, credentials, or system files, potentially leading to complete router compromise, network infiltration, or credential theft.
Likely Case
Attackers access restricted web application files, configuration data, or system information that could facilitate further attacks or reconnaissance.
If Mitigated
With proper network segmentation and access controls, impact is limited to the router's web interface files only.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires sending specially crafted HTTP packets to the router's web interface. No authentication required.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: v1.0.4.102 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://kb.netgear.com/000064405/Security-Advisory-for-Path-Traversal-on-Some-Routers-PSV-2021-0268
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Log into router web interface. 2. Navigate to Advanced > Administration > Firmware Update. 3. Check for updates. 4. If v1.0.4.102 or later is available, install it. 5. Router will restart automatically.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Remote Management
allPrevent external access to router web interface
Log into router > Advanced > Administration > Remote Management > Disable
Restrict Web Interface Access
allLimit web interface access to trusted IP addresses only
Log into router > Advanced > Security > Access Control > Configure allowed IPs
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Place router behind firewall with strict inbound rules blocking all unnecessary ports
- Disable web interface entirely if not required for operations
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check router firmware version via web interface: Advanced > Administration > Router Status > Firmware VersionCheck Version:
curl -s http://routerlogin.net | grep -i firmwareVerify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version is v1.0.4.102 or later in router web interface📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests with ../ sequences in URL path
- Access attempts to unusual file paths
- Failed authentication attempts to restricted paths
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences (../, ..\)
- Unusual file access patterns from external IPs
SIEM Query:
source="router_logs" AND (url="*../*" OR url="*..\\*")🔗 References
- http://netgear.com
- http://rax40.com
- https://kb.netgear.com/000064405/Security-Advisory-for-Path-Traversal-on-Some-Routers-PSV-2021-0268
- https://www.netgear.com/about/security/
- http://netgear.com
- http://rax40.com
- https://kb.netgear.com/000064405/Security-Advisory-for-Path-Traversal-on-Some-Routers-PSV-2021-0268
- https://www.netgear.com/about/security/
