CVE-2025-45042: Command Injection Vulnerability in Tenda AC9 v15.03.05.14

Overview

In the increasingly complex world of cybersecurity, the discovery of new vulnerabilities can have profound implications for both businesses and individuals. One such example is CVE-2025-45042, a command injection vulnerability found in Tenda AC9 v15.03.05.14. This vulnerability is significant due to its potential for system compromise or data leakage, which can lead to significant disruption and loss for the affected parties. It’s critical for those using Tenda AC9 v15.03.05.14 to understand this vulnerability, its potential impacts, and the ways it can be mitigated.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-45042
Severity: Critical (9.8)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Impact: System compromise or data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

Tenda AC9 | v15.03.05.14

How the Exploit Works

The vulnerability in Tenda AC9 v15.03.05.14 is a command injection flaw that occurs within the Telnet function. In essence, an attacker can inject malicious commands that the system then executes. This is possible due to inadequate sanitization of user-supplied inputs in the Telnet function, allowing command injection to occur. As a result, an attacker can potentially gain unauthorized access, compromise the system, or cause data leakage.

Conceptual Example Code

Here’s a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited:

telnet target_IP
Trying target_IP...
Connected to target_IP.
Escape character is '^]'.
Tenda login: `;malicious_command`
Password:

In this example, the attacker uses Telnet to connect to the target IP address. They then inject a malicious command (`malicious_command`) into the login prompt, exploiting the command injection vulnerability.

Countermeasures and Mitigation

The primary mitigation for CVE-2025-45042 is to apply the vendor patch as soon as it becomes available. This patch will address the vulnerability directly, preventing its exploitation. In the meantime, or in situations where patching is not immediately possible, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can provide temporary mitigation. These tools can help detect and block attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
Remember, the best defense against cybersecurity threats is a combination of timely patching, robust security tools, and continued vigilance.