First Published: 2021-04-30
Associated CVE IDs: CVE-2021-31802
NETGEAR has released a hotfix for an authentication bypass security vulnerability on the R7000. If exploited, this vulnerability can be used to gain access to your router configuration that can lead to other exploits. Exploiting this vulnerability requires one of the following conditions:
- That Remote Management is turned on
- That a hacker has connected a device to your local network
NETGEAR strongly recommends that you download the latest firmware as soon as possible. Firmware fixes are currently available for all affected products:
AirCard
- DC112A fixed in firmware version 1.0.0.60
Cable Modems
- CBR40 fixed in firmware version 2.5.0.24
- CBR750 fixed in firmware version 4.6.3.6
DSL Modems
- D6220 fixed in firmware version 1.0.0.74
- D6400 fixed in firmware version 1.0.0.106
- D7000v2 fixed in firmware version 1.0.0.74
- DGN2200v4 fixed in firmware version 1.0.0.126
- V6510-1FXAUS fixed in firmware version 1.0.0.78
Extenders
- EAX20 fixed in firmware version 1.0.1.62
- EAX80 fixed in firmware version 1.0.1.70
- EX3700 fixed in firmware version 1.0.0.90
- EX3800 fixed in firmware version 1.0.0.90
- EX6120 fixed in firmware version 1.0.0.64
- EX6130 fixed in firmware version 1.0.0.44
- EX7000 fixed in firmware version 1.0.1.104
- EX7500 fixed in firmware version 1.0.0.74
Fixed Wireless
- LAX20 fixed in firmware version 1.1.6.28
Nighthawk WiFi Mesh Systems
- MR60 fixed in firmware version 1.0.6.116
- MS60 fixed in firmware version 1.0.6.116
Orbi WiFi Systems
- NBR750 fixed in firmware version 4.6.4.5
- RBR750 fixed in firmware version 4.6.3.7
- RBR850 fixed in firmware version 4.6.3.9
- RBS40V fixed in firmware version 2.6.2.8
- RBS750 fixed in firmware version 4.6.3.7
- RBS850 fixed in firmware version 4.6.3.9
- RBW30 fixed in firmware version 2.6.2.6
Routers
- R6400 fixed in firmware version 1.0.1.74
- R6400v2 fixed in firmware version 1.0.4.118
- R6700v3 fixed in firmware version 1.0.4.118
- R6900P fixed in firmware version 1.3.3.140
- R7000 fixed in firmware version 1.0.11.126
- R7000P fixed in firmware version 1.3.3.140
- R7100LG fixed in firmware version 1.0.0.70
- R7900P fixed in firmware version 1.4.2.84
- R7960P fixed in firmware version 1.4.2.84
- R8000 fixed in firmware version 1.0.4.74
- R8000P fixed in firmware version 1.4.2.84
- RAX15 fixed in firmware version 1.0.3.96
- RAX20 fixed in firmware version 1.0.3.96
- RAX200 fixed in firmware version 1.0.5.126
- RAX45 fixed in firmware version 1.0.3.96
- RAX50 fixed in firmware version 1.0.3.96
- RAX75 fixed in firmware version 1.0.5.126
- RAX80 fixed in firmware version 1.0.5.126
- RAXE450 fixed in firmware version 1.0.7.68
- RAXE500 fixed in firmware version 1.0.7.68
- RS400 fixed in firmware version 1.5.1.80
- WNDR3400v3 fixed in firmware version 1.0.1.44
- WNR3500Lv2 fixed in firmware version 1.2.0.72
- XR1000 fixed in firmware version 1.0.0.58
- XR300 fixed in firmware version 1.0.3.68
To download the latest firmware for your NETGEAR product:
- Visit NETGEAR Support.
- Start typing your model number in the search box, then select your model from the drop-down menu as soon as it appears.
If you do not see a drop-down menu, make sure that you entered your model number correctly, or select a product category to browse for your product model. - Click Downloads.
- Under Current Versions, select the first download whose title begins with Firmware Version.
- Click Release Notes.
- Follow the instructions in the firmware release notes to download and install the new firmware.
Workarounds
NETGEAR recommends that you turn off Remote Management and keep WiFi security on.
Turning off Remote Management on your router or gateway web user interface significantly reduces your risk of exposure to this vulnerability. Remote Management on your router or gateway’s web user interface is turned off by default. If you never enabled Remote Management, you do not need to take any action to turn off Remote Management. For instructions, see How do I turn off Remote Management on my NETGEAR router or gateway?
Disclaimer
This document is provided on an "as is" basis and does not imply any kind of guarantee or warranty, including the warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use. Your use of the information in the document or materials linked from the document is at your own risk. NETGEAR reserves the right to change or update this document at any time. NETGEAR expects to update this document as new information becomes available.
The authentication bypass vulnerability remains if you do not complete all recommended steps. NETGEAR is not responsible for any consequences that could have been avoided by following the recommendations in this notification.
Acknowledgements
SSD Secure Disclosure
Common Vulnerability Scoring System
Rating: Critical
Score: 9.6
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Best Practices for Updating Firmware
We recommend that you keep your NETGEAR devices up to date with the latest firmware. Firmware updates contain security fixes, bug fixes, and new features for your NETGEAR products.
If your product is supported by one of our apps, using the app is the easiest way to update your firmware:
- Orbi products: NETGEAR Orbi app
- Nighthawk WiFi routers: NETGEAR Nighthawk app
- Some NETGEAR Business products: NETGEAR Insight app (firmware updates through the app are available only for Insight subscribers)
If your product is not supported by one of our apps, you can always update your firmware manually by following the instructions in your product’s user manual, firmware release notes, or product support page. For more information, see Where can I find information about my NETGEAR product?.
Contact
We appreciate and value having security concerns brought to our attention. NETGEAR constantly monitors for both known and unknown threats. Being pro-active rather than re-active to emerging security issues is fundamental for product support at NETGEAR.
It is NETGEAR's mission to be the innovative leader in connecting the world to the internet. To achieve this mission, we strive to earn and maintain the trust of those that use NETGEAR products for their connectivity.
To report a security vulnerability, visit https://bugcrowd.com/netgear.
If you are a NETGEAR customer with a security-related support concern, you can contact NETGEAR customer support at techsupport.security@netgear.com.
For all other issues, visit http://www.netgear.com/about/security/.
Revision History
2021-04-30: Published advisory
2021-05-14: Updated advisory with hotfix for the affected product
2022-03-07:
- Updated firmware for R7000
- Removed hotfix language
- Added: DC112A, CBR40, CBR750, D6220, D6400, D7000v2, DGN2200v4, V6510-1FXAUS, EAX20, EAX80, EX3700, EX3800, EX6120, EX6130, EX7000, EX7500, LAX20, MR60, MS60, NBR750, RBR750, RBR850, RBS40V, RBS750, RBS850, RBW30, R6400, R6400v2, R6700v3, R6900P, R7000P, R7100LG, R7900P, R7960P, R8000, R8000P, RAX15, RAX20, RAX200, RAX45, RAX50, RAX75, RAX80, RAXE450, RAXE500, RS400, WNDR3400v3, WNR3500Lv2, XR1000, XR300