Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-38478 is a critical command injection issue in specific InHand Networks IR615 Router firmware versions. A highly privileged attacker could abuse the router’s traceroute function to run commands on the device remotely, potentially disrupting operations or exposing sensitive network functions.
Executive priority
Treat as high-priority remediation for any affected router in operational or exposed environments. The required privilege level lowers opportunistic risk, but compromise could affect network availability and trust boundaries.
Technical view
The vulnerability is CWE-78 OS command injection in InHand Networks IR615 Router versions 2.3.0.r4724 and 2.3.0.r4870. CVSS 3.1 is 9.1: network attack vector, low complexity, no user interaction, high privileges required, changed scope, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to organizations running InHand Networks IR615 Router firmware 2.3.0.r4724 or 2.3.0.r4870. Risk is highest where router administration or diagnostic functions are reachable from untrusted networks or broad internal segments.
Exploitation context
The supplied sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. The CVSS vector indicates remote network reachability and low complexity, but exploitation requires high privileges. Successful abuse may let commands run on behalf of the device.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports command injection through the traceroute tool on two named firmware versions. Do not assume other IR615 versions are affected without vendor confirmation. The source bundle does not provide exploit activity, proof-of-concept status, or a specific fixed version.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory IR615 routers and identify firmware versions 2.3.0.r4724 and 2.3.0.r4870.
- Check InHand Networks and CISA guidance for supported firmware updates or workarounds.
- Restrict administrative access to trusted management networks or VPN-only paths.
- Review router accounts and remove unnecessary high-privilege access.
- Monitor affected routers for unexpected configuration changes or abnormal command activity.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether any deployed IR615 routers run the affected firmware versions.
- Verify management interfaces are not exposed to the public internet.
- Review access controls for accounts able to use diagnostic tools.
- Check logs for suspicious use of router diagnostic functions.
- Document remediation status for each affected device.
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.
CWE-78: Command execution behavior lookup
Command injection weaknesses can lead defenders to review execution techniques and command interpreter telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-38478 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
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.1 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
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:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H2.36Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.1CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics/advisories/icsa-21-280-05CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
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.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.