How severe is CVE-2021-35973?

CVE-2021-35973 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-35973 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (86th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-35973?

CVE-2021-35973 affects Netgear Wac104 Firmware. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-35973?

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

When was CVE-2021-35973 published?

CVE-2021-35973 was published on 2021-06-30 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-35973

CVE-2021-35973 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Netgear Wac104 Firmware with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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-697.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 10.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (86th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-697
Affected product: Netgear Wac104 Firmware
Published: 2021-06-30
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

NETGEAR WAC104 devices before 1.0.4.15 are affected by an authentication bypass vulnerability in /usr/sbin/mini_httpd, allowing an unauthenticated attacker to invoke any action by adding the &currentsetting.htm substring to the HTTP query, a related issue to CVE-2020-27866. This directly allows the attacker to change the web UI password, and eventually to enable debug mode (telnetd) and gain a shell on the device as the admin limited-user account (however, escalation to root is simple because of weak permissions on the /etc/ directory).

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-35973?: NETGEAR WAC104 devices before 1.0.4.15 are affected by an authentication bypass vulnerability in /usr/sbin/mini_httpd, allowing an unauthenticated attacker to invoke any action by adding the &currentsetting.htm substring to the HTTP query, a related issue to CVE-2020-27866. This directly allows the attacker to change the web UI password, and eventually to enable debug mode (telnetd) and gain a shell on the device as the admin limited-user account (however, escalation to root is simple because of weak permissions on the /etc/ directory).
How severe is CVE-2021-35973?: CVE-2021-35973 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-35973 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (86th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-35973?: CVE-2021-35973 affects Netgear Wac104 Firmware. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-35973?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-35973 published?: CVE-2021-35973 was published on 2021-06-30 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:netgear:wac104_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Netgear Wac104 Firmware

CVE-2020-35788 — High (CVSS 7.6): NETGEAR WAC104 devices before 1.0.4.13 are affected by a buffer overflow by an authenticated user.
CVE-2021-44262 — High (CVSS 7.5): A vulnerability is in the 'MNU_top.htm' page of the Netgear W104, version WAC104-V1.0.4.13, which can allow a remote…
CVE-2021-38532 — Medium (CVSS 6.8): NETGEAR WAC104 devices before 1.0.4.15 are affected by incorrect configuration of security settings.
CVE-2021-44261 — Medium (CVSS 5.3): A vulnerability is in the 'BRS_top.html' page of the Netgear W104, version WAC104-V1.0.4.13, which can allow a remote…

All CVEs affecting Netgear Wac104 Firmware →

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