Is CVE-2021-38538 actively exploited?

No active exploitation of CVE-2021-38538 has been confirmed so far. Continue monitoring, as exploit status can change.

Can CVE-2021-38538 be exploited remotely?

Yes. CVE-2021-38538 is exploitable remotely over the network (CVSS attack vector: Network).

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-38538?

CVE-2021-38538 has a CVSS score of 6.1 (MEDIUM).

HOME VULNERABILITIESCVE-2021-38538

MEDIUM

CVE-2021-38538

CWE-79Published: August 11, 2021· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

6.1

CVSS v3.1

Official Description

Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by stored XSS. This affects D7800 before 1.0.1.56, R7800 before 1.0.2.68, R8900 before 1.0.4.26, R9000 before 1.0.4.26, RAX120 before 1.0.0.78, RBK20 before 2.3.5.26, RBR20 before 2.3.5.26, RBS20 before 2.3.5.26, RBK40 before 2.3.5.30, RBR40 before 2.3.5.30, RBS40 before 2.3.5.30, RBK50 before 2.3.5.30, RBR50 before 2.3.5.30, RBS50 before 2.3.5.30, and XR500 before 2.3.2.56.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2021-38538 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

Exploitation does not require any privileges, though user interaction (Required) is needed, which slightly reduces the risk of mass automated attacks.

The vulnerability has a "Changed" scope, meaning successful exploitation can impact components beyond the vulnerable component itself — such as the host operating system or adjacent services.

From a weakness classification perspective (CWE-79): Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.