Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a critical NETGEAR authentication bypass affecting specific Orbi WiFi systems and extenders. An unauthenticated attacker on an adjacent network could bypass login controls, risking device settings, traffic protection, and network integrity. The source bundle does not show confirmed active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as urgent where listed NETGEAR devices support business networks, branch offices, executive homes, or remote work access. Prioritize firmware confirmation and upgrades before broader exposure analysis.
Technical view
CVE-2021-38513 affects RBK852, RBR850, RBS850, CBR40, EAX20, MK62, MR60, MS60, RBK752, RBR750, and RBS750 below listed firmware versions. CVSS 3.1 is 9.6 with adjacent-network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, high confidentiality and integrity impact, and low availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to listed NETGEAR devices running vulnerable firmware, mainly where attackers can reach the same local or adjacent network. Internet-wide exposure is not established by the provided sources.
Exploitation context
The CVSS vector supports unauthenticated adjacent-network attack potential. The bundle does not include exploit details, public proof-of-concept evidence, or CISA KEV status, so active exploitation should not be assumed.
Researcher notes
The record names authentication bypass but provides no CWE, exploit mechanics, or affected interface details in the supplied bundle. Use version-based validation and vendor advisory review; avoid assuming remote internet exploitability beyond the adjacent-network CVSS vector.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade affected devices to the fixed firmware versions or later listed by NETGEAR.
- Check NETGEAR advisory guidance for model-specific firmware availability and installation steps.
- Restrict management access to trusted local administrators only.
- Review WiFi guest and internal network segmentation around affected devices.
Validation and detection
- Inventory NETGEAR models and firmware versions against the affected list.
- Confirm RBK852/RBR850/RBS850 are at least 3.2.10.11.
- Confirm CBR40 is at least 2.5.0.10 and EAX20 at least 1.0.0.48.
- Confirm MK62/MR60/MS60 are at least 1.0.6.110.
- Confirm RBK752/RBR750/RBS750 are at least 3.2.10.10.
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-2021-38513 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
- 9.6 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AC:L/AV:A/A:L/C:H/I:H/PR:N/S:C/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:3.1/AC:L/AV:A/A:L/C:H/I:H/PR:N/S:C/UI:N2.86Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.6CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AC:L/AV:A/A:L/C:H/I:H/PR:N/S:C/UI:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://kb.netgear.com/000063777/Security-Advisory-for-Authentication-Bypass-on-Some-Extenders-and-WiFi-Systems-PSV-2020-0008CVE 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.