CVE-2022-50596 in DIR-1260
Summary
by MITRE • 11/06/2025
D-Link DIR-1260 Wi-Fi router firmware versions up to and including v1.20B05 contain a command injection vulnerability within the web management interface that allows for unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the device with root privileges. The flaw specifically exists within the SetDest/Dest/Target arguments to the GetDeviceSettings form. The management interface is accessible over HTTP and HTTPS on the local and Wi-Fi networks and optionally from the Internet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2025
The CVE-2022-50596 vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw in D-Link DIR-1260 Wi-Fi routers running firmware versions up to and including v1.20B05. This vulnerability exists within the web management interface of the device and allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges, fundamentally compromising the device's security posture. The flaw specifically manifests in the handling of SetDest/Dest/Target arguments within the GetDeviceSettings form, which fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before processing. This command injection vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the router's underlying operating system directly, bypassing all normal authentication mechanisms and access controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the web management interface which is accessible over both HTTP and HTTPS protocols on local networks, Wi-Fi networks, and potentially from the internet when the router is configured to allow external access. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it allows for complete system compromise without requiring any authentication credentials, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation campaigns. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious commands that could include installing backdoors, modifying firewall rules, redirecting traffic, or extracting sensitive configuration data. The vulnerability's presence in the GetDeviceSettings form indicates that the router's web interface fails to properly implement input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms, creating a direct pathway for command injection attacks.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to network security as the DIR-1260 router serves as a gateway device for local networks, making it a critical point of compromise. The ability to execute commands with root privileges means that attackers can modify the router's core functionality, potentially creating persistent access points or disabling security features. The vulnerability's exposure over both local and wireless networks means that even physically proximate attackers can exploit it, while the potential for internet exposure creates a broader threat surface. This flaw directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top 10 and aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-89, which address command injection vulnerabilities and their exploitation paths. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, demonstrating how attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code and maintain persistence.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-50596 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from D-Link to address the command injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate affected routers from critical network segments, disable unnecessary remote access to the management interface, and deploy network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious traffic patterns. Network administrators should consider implementing firewall rules to restrict access to the router's management ports and ensure that only authorized personnel can access the web interface. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of secure input validation and output encoding practices in web application development, particularly for network device management interfaces. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other network infrastructure devices, while incident response procedures should be established to handle potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping network device firmware up to date and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against such critical vulnerabilities.