Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This vulnerability lets an attacker read arbitrary files from certain older NETGEAR routers. The main business risk is confidentiality: sensitive device files may expose configuration details or secrets. The CVSS vector indicates local attack requirements, and the provided sources do not show known active exploitation.
Executive priority
Handle as a moderate-priority network device maintenance issue. It is not KEV-listed and appears confidentiality-focused, but outdated routers can become blind spots around sensitive network configuration and credentials.
Technical view
CVE-2017-18797 affects NETGEAR R6400, R7900, R8000, and R8500 firmware below specific fixed versions. It is rated CVSS 6.2 with local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, and high confidentiality impact only.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to organizations still running affected NETGEAR router models below the fixed firmware versions. Risk is most relevant for unmanaged branch, lab, or small-office devices where firmware inventory is weak.
Exploitation context
The source bundle reports arbitrary file read capability but does not provide exploit details. KEV is false, and no cited source states active exploitation. The CVSS vector indicates local attack vector, not confirmed remote exploitation.
Researcher notes
No CWE is provided in the source bundle. The affected list in the CVE metadata is generic, so rely on the description and NETGEAR advisory for product and version scope. Evidence is incomplete beyond affected versions and impact category.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory NETGEAR R6400, R7900, R8000, and R8500 routers.
- Upgrade R6400 to 1.0.1.24 or later.
- Upgrade R7900 to 1.0.1.18 or later.
- Upgrade R8000 to 1.0.3.54 or later.
- Upgrade R8500 to 1.0.2.100 or later.
- Check NETGEAR advisory for model-specific guidance.
Validation and detection
- Confirm each router model and firmware version from device administration records.
- Compare firmware versions against the affected version thresholds.
- Verify upgraded devices report the expected fixed version or later.
- Document any unsupported or unreachable devices for replacement review.
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-2017-18797 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
- 6.2 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/AV:L/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:L/A:N/C:H/I:N/PR:N/S:U/UI:N2.53.6Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
6.2MediumVector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/AV:L/A:N/C:H/I:N/PR:N/S:U/UI:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://kb.netgear.com/000049365/Security-Advisory-for-Arbitrary-File-Read-Vulnerability-on-Some-Routers-PSV-2017-0318CVE 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.