CVE-2021-45534

Authenticated command execution via persisted configuration values

Published Dec 26, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Command injection in affected NETGEAR router firmware allows attackers to execute arbitrary operating-system commands after authentication. The administration panel saves attacker-controlled configuration values that startup scripts and custom executables later insert into commands without equivalent input filtering. Authenticated administration access is required; injected commands can alter files or network services, and the malicious configuration can persist across restarts or updates.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.09%
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 affected NETGEAR router firmware allows attackers to execute arbitrary operating-system commands after authentication. The administration panel saves attacker-controlled configuration values that startup scripts and custom executables later insert into commands without equivalent input filtering. Authenticated administration access is required; injected commands can alter files or network services, and the malicious configuration can persist across restarts or updates.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-45534
Published
Dec 26, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-77, T1059.004
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 26, 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 vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

6.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P
7.8NETGEARCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8MITRECVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-77Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
T1059.004Unix Shell

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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