CVE-2021-45500
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to bypass authentication on certain NETGEAR routers, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the device's administrative interface. It affects NETGEAR R7000P routers with firmware versions before 1.3.3.140 and R8000 routers with firmware versions before 1.0.4.68.
💻 Affected Systems
- NETGEAR R7000P
- NETGEAR R8000
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of the router allowing attacker to change DNS settings, intercept traffic, install malware, or use the device as part of a botnet.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to router configuration, enabling network reconnaissance, traffic monitoring, or credential theft.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if router is not internet-facing and strong network segmentation is in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Authentication bypass vulnerabilities in network devices are commonly exploited due to their high impact and relative ease of exploitation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: R7000P: 1.3.3.140 or later, R8000: 1.0.4.68 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://kb.netgear.com/000064070/Security-Advisory-for-Authentication-Bypass-on-Some-Routers-PSV-2019-0183
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Log into router admin interface. 2. Navigate to Advanced > Administration > Firmware Update. 3. Check for updates. 4. If update available, download and install. 5. Router will reboot automatically.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Remote Management
allPrevents external access to the router's admin interface.
Log into router > Advanced > Administration > Remote Management > Disable
Change Admin Interface Port
allMakes the admin interface less discoverable.
Log into router > Advanced > Administration > Router Login > Change port from 80/443 to non-standard port
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected routers in separate VLAN with strict firewall rules
- Implement network monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to router admin interface
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check router firmware version in admin interface under Advanced > Administration > Firmware UpdateCheck Version:
Check via web interface or use nmap scan on router IPVerify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version is R7000P: 1.3.3.140+ or R8000: 1.0.4.68+📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized login attempts to admin interface
- Configuration changes from unexpected IP addresses
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns to router admin port
- DNS configuration changes
SIEM Query:
source_ip=router_ip AND (event_type="login_failure" OR event_type="config_change")