How severe is CVE-2021-45500?

CVE-2021-45500 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.6, rated critical 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 low.

Is CVE-2021-45500 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (37th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-45500?

CVE-2021-45500 primarily affects Netgear R7000p 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-2021-45500?

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-2021-45500 published?

CVE-2021-45500 was published on 2021-12-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-45500

CVE-2021-45500 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Netgear R7000p Firmware with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.6. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.6)
CVSS v2: 5.8
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (37th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Netgear R7000p Firmware
Published: 2021-12-26
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by authentication bypass. This affects R7000P before 1.3.3.140 and R8000 before 1.0.4.68.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-45500?: Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by authentication bypass. This affects R7000P before 1.3.3.140 and R8000 before 1.0.4.68.
How severe is CVE-2021-45500?: CVE-2021-45500 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.6, rated critical 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 low.
Is CVE-2021-45500 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (37th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-45500?: CVE-2021-45500 primarily affects Netgear R7000p 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-2021-45500?: 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-2021-45500 published?: CVE-2021-45500 was published on 2021-12-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://kb.netgear.com/000064070/Security-Advisory-for-Authentication-Bypass-on-Some-Routers-PSV-2019-0183

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:o:netgear:r7000p_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netgear:r8000_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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