How severe is CVE-2018-21128?

CVE-2018-21128 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over an adjacent network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2018-21128 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (50th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-21128?

CVE-2018-21128 primarily affects Netgear Wac505 Firmware. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-21128?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2018-21128 published?

CVE-2018-21128 was published on 2020-04-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-21128

CVE-2018-21128 is a high-severity vulnerability in Netgear Wac505 Firmware with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-287.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
CVSS v2: 5.8
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (50th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Netgear Wac505 Firmware
Published: 2020-04-22
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by authentication bypass. This affects WAC505 before 5.0.0.17 and WAC510 before 5.0.0.17.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-21128?: Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by authentication bypass. This affects WAC505 before 5.0.0.17 and WAC510 before 5.0.0.17.
How severe is CVE-2018-21128?: CVE-2018-21128 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over an adjacent network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2018-21128 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (50th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-21128?: CVE-2018-21128 primarily affects Netgear Wac505 Firmware. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-21128?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2018-21128 published?: CVE-2018-21128 was published on 2020-04-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://kb.netgear.com/000060230/Security-Advisory-for-Authentication-Bypass-on-Some-Wireless-Access-Points-PSV-2018-0264

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:o:netgear:wac505_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netgear:wac510_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Netgear Wac505 Firmware

CVE-2018-21097 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by a stack-based buffer overflow by an unauthenticated attacker. This affects…
CVE-2018-21133 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by a stack-based buffer overflow by an unauthenticated attacker. This affects…
CVE-2018-21132 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by authentication bypass. This affects WAC505 before 5.0.0.17 and WAC510 before…
CVE-2018-21131 — Critical (CVSS 9.1): Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by unauthenticated firmware downgrade. This affects WAC505 before 5.0.0.17 and…
CVE-2018-21130 — High (CVSS 8.8): Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an unauthenticated attacker. This affects WAC505 before…
CVE-2018-21127 — High (CVSS 8.8): Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an unauthenticated attacker. This affects WAC505 before…

All CVEs affecting Netgear Wac505 Firmware →

Other CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-45480 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Active Directory allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
CVE-2026-46389 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): UDS Identity Config builds the Keycloak configuration image (realm, plugins, theme, truststore, JARs) consumed by UDS…
CVE-2026-10611 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in MISP when LDAP mixed authentication is enabled with OTP enforcement.…
CVE-2026-47280 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Resource Manager (ARM) allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a…
CVE-2026-42822 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Local Disconnected Operations allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges…
CVE-2026-20182 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): May 2026: This security advisory provides the details and fix information for a vulnerability that was discovered and…

Browse all CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities →