The security of your router doesn’t get the media attention it deserves, considering what an important role it plays in keeping your networks and data safe. I’m here to put that right, as I have done when reporting on the Gayfemboy hack attacks, Blue Pill attacks, and the rising risk of router password bypass. Now users of Netgear routers have been put on alert as multiple Wi-Fi router models are impacted by two critical security vulnerabilities that can bypass security authentication measures. Here’s what you need to know and do.
Netgear Strongly Recommends Router Users To Update Now
Netgear, one of the most popular of router vendors, has issued a new security advisory for users as two critical authentication bypass vulnerabilities have been confirmed. The vendor said that users are “strongly advised to download and install the latest firmware to mitigate the security risk.”
Although there are currently no associated Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures on the CVE database that lists known security vulnerabilities and precious little technical information as a result, “unauthenticated threat actors can exploit them for remote code execution and authentication bypass in low-complexity attacks that don’t require user interaction,” according to Bleeping Computer. The models impacted and firmware fixes available, the Netgear advisory said, are as follows:
- WAX206 fixed in firmware version 1.0.5.3
- WAX220 fixed in firmware version 1.0.3.5
- WAX214v2 fixed in firmware version 1.0.2.5
Act Now—How To Download The Latest Netgear Router Firmware
Here’s how to download the latest security firmware for your router and get protected against these critical authentication bypass vulnerabilities in six steps.
- Head to the Netgear technical support pages.
- Enter your model number in the search box, which will auto-complete as soon as it is recognized. Select your router model from the drop-down menu.
- Click on downloads.
- Under Current Versions, select the download whose title begins with Firmware Version.
- Click download.
- Follow the instructions in your product’s user manual, firmware release notes, or product support page to install the new router firmware.
“The authentication bypass vulnerability remains if you do not complete all recommended steps,” Netgear warned, adding that it is “not responsible for any consequences that could have been avoided by following the recommendations in this notification.” You know what to do to keep your router safe, so do it now.
