Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This flaw lets an attacker read files from certain NETGEAR routers, gateways, and extenders running older firmware. File disclosure can expose sensitive device data. The published CVSS score is medium, but affected edge devices should still be prioritized because they sit at network boundaries.
Executive priority
Treat this as a moderate-priority network edge hygiene issue. It is not cited as actively exploited here, but legacy routers and extenders can persist unnoticed and may expose sensitive configuration or system files if left outdated.
Technical view
CVE-2017-18769 is an arbitrary file read issue affecting many NETGEAR models before specific firmware versions. The CVSS 3.0 vector is AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, indicating high confidentiality impact with no privileges or user interaction, but physical attack vector per the record.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to listed NETGEAR D-series, EX-series, JR/R-series, WNDR, and WNR models running firmware earlier than the fixed versions in the CVE description and NETGEAR advisory. Organizations may still have exposure where legacy consumer or branch-office devices remain unmanaged.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. The CVSS vector indicates physical access is required, so risk depends heavily on where these devices are deployed and who can access them.
Researcher notes
The CVE source lists exact affected firmware thresholds, but the structured affected vendor/product fields are generic. Use the narrative model list and NETGEAR advisory as the authoritative exposure basis. Do not assume remote exploitability from the provided evidence.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory NETGEAR routers, gateways, and extenders against the affected model list.
- Upgrade affected devices to NETGEAR firmware at or above the listed fixed versions.
- Check the NETGEAR advisory for model-specific firmware guidance.
- Retire or replace devices that cannot receive fixed firmware.
- Limit physical access to deployed network appliances.
Validation and detection
- Confirm each NETGEAR device model and firmware version from asset records or administration interfaces.
- Compare firmware versions with the fixed versions in the CVE description.
- Verify updated devices report firmware at or above NETGEAR's corrected release.
- Document any unsupported or unreachable devices for replacement or compensating controls.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CVE-2017-18769 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 4.6 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/AV:P/A:N/C:H/I:N/PR:N/S:U/UI:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.0/AC:L/AV:P/A:N/C:H/I:N/PR:N/S:U/UI:N0.93.6Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
4.6MediumVector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/AV:P/A:N/C:H/I:N/PR:N/S:U/UI:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://kb.netgear.com/000051474/Security-Advisory-for-Arbitrary-File-Read-on-Some-Routers-Gateways-and-Extenders-PSV-2016-0122CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.