Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This CVE affects multiple older NETGEAR routers and gateways with a pre-authentication buffer overflow. An attacker does not need credentials, and the CVSS score indicates potential full confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. The source bundle does not show active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority infrastructure remediation item for any listed NETGEAR device still in service. Prioritize sites with shared, guest, contractor, or otherwise untrusted local network access.
Technical view
CVE-2018-21224 is a buffer overflow in specified NETGEAR devices before named firmware versions. CVSS 3.0 is 8.8 with adjacent-network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, and high CIA impact. The affected list is model and firmware specific.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely where the listed NETGEAR models remain deployed below the fixed firmware versions, especially on networks where untrusted adjacent access is possible. The bundle does not identify affected CPEs or exact vulnerable components.
Exploitation context
The source bundle marks KEV as false and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation. The vulnerability is still serious because exploitation requires no authentication and no user interaction, but the CVSS vector indicates adjacent-network reachability rather than proven internet-wide exposure.
Researcher notes
The evidence is limited to the CVE record and NETGEAR advisory reference. No CWE, vulnerable endpoint, proof-of-concept, or exploit telemetry is included. Avoid assuming WAN exploitability from the provided CVSS vector.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory the listed NETGEAR models and record current firmware versions.
- Upgrade affected devices to the fixed firmware versions or later.
- Review NETGEAR advisory PSV-2017-2456 for model-specific update guidance.
- Replace unsupported devices if fixed firmware is unavailable.
- Limit untrusted access to affected devices until remediation is complete.
Validation and detection
- Confirm device model numbers match the affected NETGEAR list.
- Compare installed firmware against the fixed version thresholds.
- Verify updates completed and firmware versions changed successfully.
- Check asset records for any remaining listed models below fixed versions.
- Document any devices awaiting vendor guidance or replacement.
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-2018-21224 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
- High
- CVSS
- 8.8 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/AV:A/A:H/C:H/I:H/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:A/A:H/C:H/I:H/PR:N/S:U/UI:N2.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
8.8HighVector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/AV:A/A:H/C:H/I:H/PR:N/S:U/UI:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://kb.netgear.com/000055113/Security-Advisory-for-Pre-Authentication-Buffer-Overflow-on-Some-Routers-and-Gateways-PSV-2017-2456CVE 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.