CVE-2023-34849 in Router OS
Summary
by MITRE • 06/29/2023
An unauthorized command injection vulnerability exists in the ActionLogin function of the webman.lua file in Ikuai router OS through 3.7.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-34849 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Ikuai router operating system version 3.7.1 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the ActionLogin function of the webman.lua file, which serves as a core component of the router's web-based management interface. The issue allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected device, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to network resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the ActionLogin function where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into system commands without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms. This classic command injection flaw enables attackers to inject malicious commands that get executed with the privileges of the web server process, typically running with elevated permissions on the router. The vulnerability falls under CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection flaws in software applications.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to network security infrastructure as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected Ikuai routers without requiring authentication credentials. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain full administrative control over the router, potentially leading to man-in-the-middle attacks, DNS poisoning, traffic interception, or use of the compromised device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to threaten the entire network security posture of organizations relying on these devices.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects the web management interface, which is typically accessible from external networks for remote administration purposes. This means that unauthenticated attackers can potentially exploit the flaw from anywhere on the internet, making the vulnerability highly dangerous in production environments. Network defenders should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling and incident response planning, as it could be leveraged for persistent access or as part of broader attack campaigns targeting network infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest Ikuai router OS version that contains the patched webman.lua file, disabling remote management access where possible, and implementing network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized access attempts to router management interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper sanitization in web applications, particularly those managing network infrastructure devices where command execution capabilities pose severe security implications. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, highlighting the need for robust application security controls in network management interfaces.