How severe is CVE-2021-45540?

CVE-2021-45540 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.4, rated high severity. It is exploitable over an adjacent network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-45540 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (46th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-45540?

CVE-2021-45540 primarily affects Netgear R7900p Firmware. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-45540?

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-2021-45540 published?

CVE-2021-45540 was published on 2021-12-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-45540

CVE-2021-45540 is a high-severity vulnerability in Netgear R7900p Firmware with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.4. 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-77.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.4)
CVSS v2: 5.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (46th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-77
Affected product: Netgear R7900p Firmware
Published: 2021-12-26
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an authenticated user. This affects R7000 before 1.0.11.126, R7900 before 1.0.4.46, R7900P before 1.4.2.84, R7960P before 1.4.2.84, R8000 before 1.0.4.74, R8000P before 1.4.2.84, RAX200 before 1.0.3.106, MR60 before 1.0.6.110, RAX45 before 1.0.2.66, RAX80 before 1.0.3.106, MS60 before 1.0.6.110, RAX50 before 1.0.2.66, and RAX75 before 1.0.3.106.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-45540?: Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an authenticated user. This affects R7000 before 1.0.11.126, R7900 before 1.0.4.46, R7900P before 1.4.2.84, R7960P before 1.4.2.84, R8000 before 1.0.4.74, R8000P before 1.4.2.84, RAX200 before 1.0.3.106, MR60 before 1.0.6.110, RAX45 before 1.0.2.66, RAX80 before 1.0.3.106, MS60 before 1.0.6.110, RAX50 before 1.0.2.66, and RAX75 before 1.0.3.106.
How severe is CVE-2021-45540?: CVE-2021-45540 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.4, rated high severity. It is exploitable over an adjacent network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-45540 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (46th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-45540?: CVE-2021-45540 primarily affects Netgear R7900p Firmware. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-45540?: 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-2021-45540 published?: CVE-2021-45540 was published on 2021-12-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://kb.netgear.com/000064477/Security-Advisory-for-Post-Authentication-Command-Injection-on-Some-Routers-and-WiFi-Systems-PSV-2020-0196

Affected products (13)

cpe:2.3:o:netgear:r7900p_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netgear:r7960p_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netgear:r8000_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netgear:r8000p_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netgear:mr60_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netgear:rax45_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netgear:rax80_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netgear:rax50_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netgear:rax75_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netgear:ms60_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netgear:r7000_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netgear:r7900_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netgear:rax200_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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