CVE-2021-38520Network attack vector

Authenticated command execution via undisclosed management input

Published Aug 11, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Command injection in six NETGEAR router models allows remote authenticated users to execute commands through the management interface. NETGEAR has not published the affected handler, parameter, or incorrect operation that passes untrusted input to a command interpreter. Exploitation requires high-privilege authentication; successful command execution can take control of the router.

CVSS severity6.6
Medium
EPSS probability1.50%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Command injection in six NETGEAR router models allows remote authenticated users to execute commands through the management interface. NETGEAR has not published the affected handler, parameter, or incorrect operation that passes untrusted input to a command interpreter. Exploitation requires high-privilege authentication; successful command execution can take control of the router.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-38520
Published
Aug 11, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-77, T1059
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 11, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 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?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.2NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.6MITRECVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P
6.6NETGEARCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

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

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-77Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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