Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a denial-of-service issue in specific NETGEAR routers. A successful attack could make the router unavailable, disrupting network access. The sources do not indicate data theft or takeover, and exploitation requires adjacent-network access and high privileges per CVSS.
Executive priority
Treat as a targeted availability risk, not an emergency breach indicator. Remediate during the next network maintenance window, faster for routers supporting business-critical sites or remote access.
Technical view
CVE-2018-21142 affects listed NETGEAR router firmware before specified fixed versions. CVSS 3.0 scores it 4.5 with AV:A, PR:H, UI:N, and high availability impact only. No CWE is provided in the bundle.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to the named NETGEAR models: R6100, R7500, R7800, R8900, R9000, WNDR3700v4, WNDR4300, WNDR4300v2, WNDR4500v3, and WNR2000v5 running older firmware.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing, active exploitation, public exploit use, or exploit details. CVSS indicates adjacent-network attack vector and high privileges, reducing broad internet-scale risk.
Researcher notes
The public record is sparse: no CWE, no CPE detail in the bundle, and no root-cause description beyond denial of service. Validation should focus on model and firmware matching against NETGEAR advisory versions.
Mitigation direction
- Check NETGEAR advisory PSV-2017-3169 for the exact fixed firmware for each model.
- Upgrade affected routers to the listed fixed version or later.
- Prioritize routers supporting critical business connectivity.
- If upgrades are unavailable, consult NETGEAR support for supported replacement or compensating guidance.
Validation and detection
- Inventory NETGEAR router models and firmware versions.
- Compare each firmware version against the fixed versions in the advisory.
- Confirm no affected model remains below the listed fixed firmware.
- Document business-critical routers for prioritized remediation tracking.
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-2018-21142 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
- 4.5 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/AV:A/A:H/C:N/I:N/PR:H/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:A/A:H/C:N/I:N/PR:H/S:U/UI:N0.93.6Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
4.5MediumVector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/AV:A/A:H/C:N/I:N/PR:H/S:U/UI:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://kb.netgear.com/000059491/Security-Advisory-for-Denial-of-Service-on-Some-Routers-PSV-2017-3169CVE 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.