CVE-2025-4149 is a critical buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the Netgear EX6200 Wi-Fi range extender, specifically affecting firmware version 1.0.3.94. The vulnerability resides in the function sub_54014, where improper handling of the 'host' argument leads to a buffer overflow condition. This flaw can be exploited remotely without requiring user interaction or prior authentication, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/UI:N/PR:L). The vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate input data to overflow a buffer, potentially overwriting adjacent memory regions. This can lead to arbitrary code execution, denial of service, or system compromise. The vulnerability has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 8.7, categorized as high severity, reflecting its significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high). The vendor, Netgear, was contacted early regarding this issue but did not respond or provide a patch at the time of disclosure, increasing the risk for users of the affected device. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the ease of remote exploitation and lack of required user interaction make this a serious threat. The affected product, EX6200, is a consumer and small office Wi-Fi range extender widely used to improve wireless coverage. The vulnerability's exploitation could allow attackers to gain control over the device, intercept or manipulate network traffic, or pivot into internal networks, posing risks to connected systems and data confidentiality.

For European organizations, the exploitation of CVE-2025-4149 could have significant consequences, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and home office environments that rely on Netgear EX6200 devices for network extension. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to internal networks, data interception, or disruption of network availability. This is particularly critical for sectors handling sensitive or regulated data such as finance, healthcare, and government services. The vulnerability could also be leveraged as a foothold for lateral movement within corporate networks, increasing the risk of broader compromise. Given the lack of vendor response and absence of patches, organizations face prolonged exposure. Additionally, the potential for denial of service could disrupt business operations, impacting productivity and service availability. The threat is exacerbated by the device’s common deployment in less-secured network segments, which may not be monitored as rigorously as core infrastructure, making detection and response more challenging.

1. Immediate network segmentation: Isolate Netgear EX6200 devices from critical network segments to limit potential lateral movement if compromised. 2. Disable remote management features on the EX6200 devices to reduce exposure to remote exploitation. 3. Monitor network traffic for unusual patterns originating from or targeting EX6200 devices, including unexpected connections or data flows. 4. Implement strict firewall rules to restrict inbound traffic to the EX6200 devices, allowing only trusted IP addresses where remote management is necessary. 5. Where possible, replace affected EX6200 devices with alternative hardware that is actively supported and patched. 6. Conduct regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing focused on network edge devices to detect exploitation attempts. 7. Maintain up-to-date asset inventories to identify all instances of the EX6200 in the environment. 8. Educate IT staff and users about the risks associated with this device and encourage reporting of any anomalies. 9. Engage with Netgear support channels to seek updates or advisories, and subscribe to vulnerability intelligence feeds for any emerging patches or exploits. 10. Consider deploying network intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures targeting buffer overflow attempts against the EX6200 firmware.