CVE-2016-6277Known exploitationPublic exploitNetwork attack vector

Root command execution via unauthenticated CGI path injection

Published Dec 14, 2016 · Updated Oct 21, 2025

Command injection in NETGEAR router web administration allows remote attackers to execute root commands via crafted URLs. The cgi-bin/ handler passes attacker-controlled path input containing shell metacharacters to command execution without authentication or neutralization. Exploitation requires LAN reachability, enabled WAN administration, or a user visiting a malicious website that sends requests to the router.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability99.80%
Next 30 days · Nov 1, 2026
Known exploitationReported
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Contact us

Summary

What happened

Command injection in NETGEAR router web administration allows remote attackers to execute root commands via crafted URLs. The cgi-bin/ handler passes attacker-controlled path input containing shell metacharacters to command execution without authentication or neutralization. Exploitation requires LAN reachability, enabled WAN administration, or a user visiting a malicious website that sends requests to the router.

The record

CVE
CVE-2016-6277
Published
Dec 14, 2016
Updated
Oct 21, 2025
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-352, CWE-77, CWE-306, T1190, T1059.004
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 14, 2016CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 21, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

9.3CERT/CCAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
9.3CERT/CCAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C/E:H/RL:U/RC:C
8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Activity data is delayed. The latest report is Sep 28, 2026.

Daily unique IPsShadowserver observations through Sep 28, 2026. Gaps indicate unavailable data.
Sep 22, 2026Sep 28, 2026
View daily counts
Reporting dayUnique IPs
Sep 22, 2026114
Sep 23, 202690
Sep 24, 2026104
Sep 25, 2026121
Sep 26, 2026117
Sep 27, 2026102
Sep 28, 2026113
Latest reporting daySep 28, 2026
Latest daily unique IPs113
Prior 30-day average99.6
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationReported
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-352Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
CWE-77Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
CWE-306Missing Authentication for Critical Function
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application
T1059.004Unix Shell

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Reported exploitation

Technologies

Your stack

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Get started to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Contact us