CVE-2022-39073 in MF286R
Summary
by MITRE • 01/06/2023
There is a command injection vulnerability in ZTE MF286R, Due to insufficient validation of the input parameters, an attacker could use the vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2025
The CVE-2022-39073 vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw in ZTE MF286R wireless routers that exposes the device to remote exploitation. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the router's web interface and command processing components. The affected device operates with a web-based management interface that fails to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary system commands. The vulnerability specifically impacts the router's handling of input parameters that are processed by the underlying operating system, allowing attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to the device's command execution environment. This flaw exists in the firmware level where user inputs intended for configuration parameters are directly passed to system commands without proper sanitization or encoding.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77, which describes command injection weaknesses in software systems. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious input parameters that are subsequently interpreted and executed by the router's command processor. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the system level where administrative privileges are typically required, but due to the lack of proper input validation, an attacker can bypass these protections entirely. The MF286R device uses a Linux-based operating system with embedded web servers that handle HTTP requests containing user parameters. When these parameters are not properly validated, they can be interpreted by shell commands, leading to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as a command and script injection technique, specifically targeting the execution of arbitrary commands on the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-39073 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete system compromise and potential network infiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute commands with root privileges, potentially leading to complete device takeover, data exfiltration, or use of the compromised router as a pivot point for attacking other devices within the local network. The vulnerability affects the router's ability to maintain network security boundaries, as compromised devices can be used to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks, DNS hijacking, or serve as command and control nodes for botnet activities. Network administrators may experience unauthorized modification of router configurations, enabling persistent backdoors or disabling security features. The attack surface is particularly concerning for residential and small office environments where these devices are often deployed without proper network segmentation, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to home networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass both immediate remediation and long-term security enhancements. Device owners must prioritize firmware updates from ZTE to address the identified input validation gaps and implement proper network segmentation to limit the potential impact of compromise. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security configurations should include disabling unnecessary services and implementing strict input validation at all network entry points. Organizations should consider network access controls to restrict administrative access to these devices and implement regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other network infrastructure components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in embedded systems, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing during development phases. Additionally, network administrators should establish incident response procedures specifically addressing device compromise scenarios and implement network-wide monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts across multiple affected devices.