CVE-2021-45512
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability affects multiple NETGEAR routers and extenders that use weak cryptography implementations, potentially allowing attackers to decrypt sensitive communications or bypass authentication. The issue impacts specific firmware versions of listed NETGEAR devices, putting home and small business networks at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- NETGEAR D7000v2
- D8500
- EX3700
- EX3800
- EX6120
- EX6130
- EX7000
- R6250
- R6400v2
- R6700v3
- R6900P
- R7000
- R7000P
- R7100LG
- R7900
- R8000
- R8300
- R8500
- RS400
- WNR3500Lv2
- XR300
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could decrypt network traffic, intercept sensitive data, bypass authentication mechanisms, and gain unauthorized access to the router's administrative interface.
Likely Case
Local network attackers could decrypt wireless communications, potentially capturing login credentials, personal data, or gaining access to network resources.
If Mitigated
With proper network segmentation and external security controls, impact is limited to the local network segment containing vulnerable devices.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires network access but no authentication. Technical details of the weak cryptography implementation are not publicly documented.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: See minimum versions in CVE description for each model
Vendor Advisory: https://kb.netgear.com/000064117/Security-Advisory-for-Broken-Cryptography-on-Some-Routers-and-Extenders-PSV-2020-0134
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Identify your NETGEAR model and current firmware version. 2. Visit NETGEAR support website. 3. Download the appropriate firmware update for your model. 4. Log into router admin interface. 5. Navigate to firmware update section. 6. Upload and install the new firmware. 7. Wait for router to reboot completely.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Segmentation
allIsolate vulnerable devices on separate network segments to limit potential attack surface
Disable Remote Management
allEnsure remote management features are disabled to prevent external exploitation attempts
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Replace vulnerable devices with supported models that receive security updates
- Implement network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns or decryption attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check router admin interface for firmware version and compare against minimum secure versions listed in the CVECheck Version:
Access router web interface at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, login, and check firmware version in settingsVerify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version in admin interface matches or exceeds the minimum secure version for your model📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual authentication attempts
- Multiple failed decryption attempts
- Unexpected firmware modification logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns to/from router management interface
- Suspicious cryptographic handshake failures
SIEM Query:
Not applicable - requires specialized network monitoring for cryptographic anomalies