CVE-2023-49409 in AX3
Summary
by MITRE • 12/07/2023
Tenda AX3 V16.03.12.11 was discovered to contain a Command Execution vulnerability via the function /goform/telnet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-49409 affects the Tenda AX3 router model running firmware version V16.03.12.11 and represents a critical command execution flaw that exposes the device to remote exploitation. This vulnerability exists within the web interface of the router through the specific function endpoint /goform/telnet which is designed to manage telnet services but fails to properly validate user input. The flaw allows an attacker to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the affected device with the highest level of privileges available to the web interface, effectively providing complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables unauthorized users to gain root access to the router's operating system without requiring authentication, making it a significant threat to network security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the /goform/telnet endpoint. When a user submits data to this function, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the input parameters before processing them within the command execution context. This lack of proper input validation creates a classic command injection vulnerability where attacker-controlled input can be interpreted as shell commands by the underlying operating system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-77 as Command Injection, which occurs when an application passes untrusted data to a command that is executed in the shell. The affected router's web interface processes user-supplied data directly without proper escaping or encoding, allowing malicious payloads to be executed with the privileges of the web server process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access to a single router device. Once exploited, attackers can leverage the compromised router as a pivot point for further network reconnaissance and lateral movement within the local network. The router serves as a gateway device that controls network traffic flow, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or launch more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability affects all users of the specific Tenda AX3 firmware version, creating a widespread security risk across networks that rely on this particular router model. Network administrators may find that their entire network infrastructure becomes compromised, as the attacker can manipulate routing tables, monitor traffic, and potentially redirect network requests to malicious endpoints. The vulnerability also enables attackers to disable security features, modify network configurations, and establish backdoors for continued access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-49409 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Tenda as the primary remediation approach, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific command injection flaw. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit the potential impact of exploitation, including restricting access to the router's web interface to trusted network segments only. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized access attempts to the router management interface. Security professionals should consider implementing network intrusion detection systems that can identify malicious payloads targeting this specific vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, with potential lateral movement techniques such as T1021.001 for Remote Services and T1566.001 for Phishing. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected devices within their network infrastructure and ensure that all network devices are running patched firmware versions. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in embedded systems, particularly in network infrastructure devices that serve as critical attack vectors.