CVE-2021-45583
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands on affected NETGEAR WiFi systems. It affects RBK752, RBR750, RBS750, RBK852, RBR850, and RBS850 devices running firmware versions before 3.2.16.6.
💻 Affected Systems
- NETGEAR RBK752
- NETGEAR RBR750
- NETGEAR RBS750
- NETGEAR RBK852
- NETGEAR RBR850
- NETGEAR RBS850
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete device compromise leading to network infiltration, data exfiltration, or use as a pivot point for attacking other systems.
Likely Case
Local attacker with valid credentials gains full control of the affected device to modify configurations, intercept traffic, or deploy malware.
If Mitigated
Limited to authorized users only, but still allows privilege escalation within the device.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires valid credentials. No public exploit code available as of knowledge cutoff.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.2.16.6 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://kb.netgear.com/000064105/Security-Advisory-for-Post-Authentication-Command-Injection-on-Some-WiFi-Systems-PSV-2020-0091
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Log into router web interface. 2. Navigate to Advanced > Administration > Firmware Update. 3. Check for updates or manually upload firmware version 3.2.16.6 or later. 4. Apply update and allow device to restart.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Admin Access
allLimit administrative access to trusted IP addresses only.
Configure firewall rules to restrict access to router admin interface (typically port 80/443) to specific management IPs.
Strong Authentication
allEnforce complex passwords and consider multi-factor authentication if supported.
Change admin password to complex, unique credential. Use password manager to generate/store.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected devices on separate VLAN with strict network segmentation.
- Implement network monitoring for unusual command execution patterns or unexpected outbound connections.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check firmware version in router web interface under Advanced > Administration > Firmware Update.Check Version:
Not applicable - check via web interface or NETGEAR Nighthawk app.Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm firmware version shows 3.2.16.6 or higher in the same location.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual command execution in system logs
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful authentication and command execution
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected outbound connections from router to external IPs
- Unusual traffic patterns from router management interface
SIEM Query:
source="router_logs" AND (command="*;*" OR command="*|*" OR command="*`*" OR command="*$(*")