CVE-2021-45557Network attack vector

Authenticated command injection via switch management

Published Dec 26, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Command injection in NETGEAR managed switch firmware before model-specific fixed releases allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via network management interfaces. NETGEAR identifies the affected firmware and post-authentication condition but does not publish the endpoint, parameter, or sanitization failure that enables command execution. Exploitation requires valid management authentication and network reachability; successful abuse can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the switch.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.22%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Command injection in NETGEAR managed switch firmware before model-specific fixed releases allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via network management interfaces. NETGEAR identifies the affected firmware and post-authentication condition but does not publish the endpoint, parameter, or sanitization failure that enables command execution. Exploitation requires valid management authentication and network reachability; successful abuse can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the switch.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-45557
Published
Dec 26, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-77, T1059
Attack vector
network
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

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 privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.5NETGEARCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:H
8.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.8NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P

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
Privilegesauthenticated
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

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo