CVE-2026-62658 in RAX43
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2026
A security flaw was discovered in certain NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX series routers that could allow someone already logged in to the device to run unauthorized commands or code on the router.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2026
This vulnerability affects NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX series routers and represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that allows authenticated users to execute arbitrary code on the affected devices. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper access controls within the router's web interface, creating an environment where legitimate users with valid login credentials can bypass normal security boundaries. This type of flaw falls under CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation," and specifically relates to CWE-798, "Use of Hard-coded Credentials" or CWE-269, "Improper Privilege Management." The technical implementation appears to involve inadequate sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are processed by the router's embedded web server, allowing malicious payloads to be injected and executed within the router's operating environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the affected routers. Once an attacker gains access through legitimate login credentials, they can leverage this flaw to execute commands with the highest privileges available on the device, potentially leading to complete compromise of the network infrastructure. This vulnerability enables attackers to install malware, modify router configurations, redirect traffic, or establish persistence mechanisms that could go undetected for extended periods. The attack surface expands significantly as compromised routers can serve as launching points for further attacks against internal networks, creating opportunities for lateral movement and data exfiltration.
From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1059.007 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript', T1068 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', and T1566 'Phishing for Information'. The vulnerability also aligns with T1210 'Exploitation of Remote Services' as it represents an unauthenticated attack vector that leverages existing legitimate access. Organizations should consider this issue as a critical threat to their network security posture, particularly since many users may not regularly change their router passwords or implement strong authentication measures. The flaw demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and privilege separation in embedded systems, emphasizing that even authenticated users should be subject to appropriate access controls and code execution restrictions.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates from NETGEAR, which typically address such vulnerabilities through proper input sanitization and access control enforcement. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of compromised routers and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activity on router management interfaces. Additionally, organizations should enforce strong authentication practices including multi-factor authentication where possible, regularly rotate administrative credentials, and conduct periodic security assessments of network infrastructure devices. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for supply chain security and regular security auditing of all network equipment, particularly in enterprise environments where such devices form the foundation of network connectivity and security controls.