CVE-2021-45077

Credential disclosure via plaintext configuration storage

Published Dec 30, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Cleartext credential storage in NETGEAR Nighthawk R6700 firmware 1.0.4.120 allows local users to read service passwords. The firmware writes all associated-service usernames and passwords, including the administrator password, unencrypted in the device's primary configuration file. Reading that file requires local access to the router, but disclosure exposes credentials for the administrative interface and other configured services.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability0.59%
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 R6700 firmware 1.0.4.120 allows local users to read service passwords. The firmware writes all associated-service usernames and passwords, including the administrator password, unencrypted in the device's primary configuration file. Reading that file requires local access to the router, but disclosure exposes credentials for the administrative interface and other configured services.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-45077
Published
Dec 30, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
NETGEAR
Product
Nighthawk AC1750 Smart WiFi Router (R6700v3)
Classifications
CWE-312, T1552.001
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 30, 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?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=1.0.4.120

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

NETGEAR · Nighthawk AC1750 Smart WiFi Router (R6700v3)version=1.0.4.120

Published CVSS scores

7.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
5.0NIST NVDAV:N/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.

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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

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

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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