CVE-2023-38921Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Authenticated command execution via unvalidated firmware parameters

Published Aug 7, 2023 · Updated Oct 11, 2024

Command injection in NETGEAR WG302v2 5.2.9 and WAG302v2 5.1.19 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary OS commands. The upgrade_handler function formats unvalidated firmwareRestore and firmwareServerip values into a string executed by system(), so shell metacharacters inject commands. Administrative access to the web firmware-upgrade interface is required, and successful exploitation compromises the access point's confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.65%
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 NETGEAR WG302v2 5.2.9 and WAG302v2 5.1.19 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary OS commands. The upgrade_handler function formats unvalidated firmwareRestore and firmwareServerip values into a string executed by system(), so shell metacharacters inject commands. Administrative access to the web firmware-upgrade interface is required, and successful exploitation compromises the access point's confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-38921
Published
Aug 7, 2023
Updated
Oct 11, 2024
Vendor
NETGEAR
Product
NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302v2
Classifications
CWE-77, T1059.004
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 7, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 11, 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=v5.2.9

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

NETGEAR · NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302v2version=v5.2.9
NETGEAR · NETGEAR ProSafe Dual Band Wireless Access Point WAG302v2version=v5.1.19

Published CVSS scores

8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

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

Public exploit references

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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