CVE-2021-20171

Credential disclosure via plaintext configuration storage

Published Dec 30, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Cleartext credential storage in NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX43 1.0.3.96 allows local users to read service usernames and passwords. The firmware writes every associated service credential, including the administrator password, unencrypted in the device's primary configuration file. Local access to device storage is required; disclosure exposes credentials but does not itself modify settings or interrupt service.

CVSS severity5.5
Medium
EPSS probability0.19%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Cleartext credential storage in NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX43 1.0.3.96 allows local users to read service usernames and passwords. The firmware writes every associated service credential, including the administrator password, unencrypted in the device's primary configuration file. Local access to device storage is required; disclosure exposes credentials but does not itself modify settings or interrupt service.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-20171
Published
Dec 30, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
NETGEAR
Product
Nighthawk RAX43
Classifications
CWE-312, T1552.001
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 30, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=1.0.3.96

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

NETGEAR · Nighthawk RAX43version=1.0.3.96

Published CVSS scores

5.5NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
2.1NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N

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.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-312Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information
T1552.001Credentials In Files

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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