Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Some NETGEAR routers can allow authentication bypass before firmware 1.1.0.48. For affected devices, an attacker on the local or adjacent network could potentially gain unauthorized access with serious confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Executive priority
Treat as high priority if any listed NETGEAR models are still in use. The main business concern is unauthorized control of network equipment, which can affect confidentiality, integrity, and uptime.
Technical view
CVE-2018-21226 is an authentication bypass affecting JNR1010v2, JWNR2010v5, WNR1000v4, WNR2020, and WNR2050 before 1.1.0.48. The CVSS 3.0 score is 8.8, with adjacent-network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, and high C/I/A impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant where listed NETGEAR router models remain deployed below firmware 1.1.0.48. CVSS indicates adjacent-network reachability, so risk is centered on local network or Wi-Fi proximity rather than confirmed internet-wide exposure.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. The vulnerability is still material because authentication bypass on edge networking devices can undermine network control if an attacker reaches the adjacent network.
Researcher notes
The CVE affected-product fields are sparse, but the description names specific models and firmware threshold. No CWE is provided. Do not assume exploit availability or internet reachability beyond the CVSS adjacent-network vector.
Mitigation direction
- Identify listed NETGEAR router models in the environment.
- Upgrade affected devices to firmware 1.1.0.48 or later where available.
- Review the NETGEAR advisory for model-specific guidance.
- Replace devices that cannot be updated safely.
- Prioritize locations with shared, guest, or weakly controlled Wi-Fi access.
Validation and detection
- Confirm router model and firmware version from administrative inventory.
- Verify affected models are not running versions before 1.1.0.48.
- Check change records for completed firmware updates or replacements.
- Review vendor advisory coverage for each discovered model.
- Document any unsupported devices as residual risk.
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.
Credential and access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references authentication or credential exposure, so valid-account and credential-access review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2018-21226 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/000055110/Security-Advisory-for-Authentication-Bypass-on-Some-Routers-PSV-2017-0748CVE 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.