CVE-2026-0407 in EX5000
Summary
by MITRE • 01/13/2026
An insufficient authentication vulnerability in NETGEAR WiFi range extenders allows a network adjacent attacker with WiFi authentication or a physical Ethernet port connection to bypass the authentication process and access the admin panel.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-0407 represents a critical authentication flaw within NETGEAR WiFi range extenders that undermines the fundamental security posture of these network devices. This issue manifests as an insufficient authentication mechanism that fails to properly validate user credentials or access permissions, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to administrative functions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited by attackers who are physically present within the network perimeter or have gained access to the wireless network through legitimate authentication. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to bypass the standard authentication procedures that should prevent unauthorized access to the device's administrative interface, thereby compromising the entire network infrastructure that relies on these extenders for connectivity and management.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability stems from inadequate session management and authentication validation processes within the NETGEAR range extender firmware. The device fails to properly enforce authentication controls when processing administrative requests, allowing an attacker with either valid WiFi credentials or physical access to an Ethernet port to escalate privileges without proper authorization. This weakness typically arises from improper implementation of access control mechanisms, where the system does not adequately verify the identity of users attempting to access administrative functions. The vulnerability may be related to weak cryptographic implementations, improper input validation, or flawed authentication state management that enables attackers to manipulate the authentication flow and gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative interfaces. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2026-0407 extends far beyond the individual device compromised, as WiFi range extenders typically serve as critical network infrastructure components that facilitate communication between wired and wireless segments of an organization's network. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain complete administrative control over the affected range extender, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, implement man-in-the-middle attacks, or establish persistent backdoors within the network. The attacker could also leverage the compromised device as a pivot point to conduct further reconnaissance and lateral movement throughout the network, as range extenders often serve as bridges between different network segments. This vulnerability particularly impacts enterprise and home networks where these devices are commonly deployed, as they may be configured with default credentials or lack proper network segmentation that would otherwise limit the potential damage from such an exploit. The attack surface is further expanded due to the physical accessibility of Ethernet ports, which provides attackers with additional vectors for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-0407 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from NETGEAR to address the underlying authentication flaws in the affected range extender models. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical network infrastructure and establish strict access controls for administrative interfaces. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual authentication patterns or unauthorized access attempts to these devices, while physical security measures should be strengthened to prevent unauthorized access to Ethernet ports. The implementation of strong authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication and the use of unique, complex passwords for administrative access should be enforced across all network devices. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in network infrastructure components, with particular attention to the principles outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and MITRE ATT&CK framework for network security. Network administrators should also consider implementing network access control lists and disabling unnecessary services on these devices to minimize the attack surface and reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation.