CVE-2026-36538Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Root access via hard-coded SSH credentials

Published May 27, 2026 · Updated May 27, 2026

Hard-coded credentials in Netis AC1200 Router NC21 4.0.1.4296 allow remote attackers to gain root access through SSH. The firmware's /etc/shadow.sample entry assigns the root account the fixed password root, and the SSH service accepts that credential without requiring a device-specific secret. Network access to the router's SSH service is required; successful authentication grants full control of the router operating system.

CVSS severity7.3
High
EPSS probability0.30%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Hard-coded credentials in Netis AC1200 Router NC21 4.0.1.4296 allow remote attackers to gain root access through SSH. The firmware's /etc/shadow.sample entry assigns the root account the fixed password root, and the SSH service accepts that credential without requiring a device-specific secret. Network access to the router's SSH service is required; successful authentication grants full control of the router operating system.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-36538
Published
May 27, 2026
Updated
May 27, 2026
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-798, CAPEC-70, CAPEC-191, T1078.001, T1021.004
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 27, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 27, 2026Record 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 privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.3CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L

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.

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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
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-798Use of Hard-coded Credentials
CAPEC-70Try Common or Default Usernames and Passwords
CAPEC-191Read Sensitive Constants Within an Executable
T1078.001Valid Accounts: Default Accounts
T1021.004Remote Services: SSH

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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