CVE-2023-52030 in A3700R
Summary
by MITRE • 01/11/2024
TOTOlink A3700R v9.1.2u.5822_B20200513 was discovered to contain a remote command execution (RCE) vulnerability via the setOpModeCfg function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2025
The TOTOlink A3700R router model running firmware version v9.1.2u.5822_B20200513 presents a critical remote command execution vulnerability through the setOpModeCfg function. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected device remotely without authentication, fundamentally compromising the device's security posture and potentially enabling full network compromise. The flaw resides in how the device processes incoming parameters through the setOpModeCfg API endpoint, creating an improper input validation and sanitization pathway that directly translates user-supplied data into system commands. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability that violates fundamental security principles of input validation and privilege separation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the setOpModeCfg function parameters, where attacker-controlled input is directly passed to system execution functions without adequate sanitization or encoding. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied parameters, allowing malicious payloads to be interpreted and executed by the underlying operating system. This flaw enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to the device's command shell, potentially allowing them to modify device configuration, install malicious software, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, specifically addressing command injection weaknesses where untrusted data flows into command execution contexts. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication and can be exploited from external network positions, making it highly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond the immediate device compromise, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for broader network infiltration. Once an attacker gains remote command execution capabilities, they can leverage the device as a pivot point to scan internal network segments, conduct lateral movement, or establish command and control channels. The router's role as a network gateway makes it a valuable target for attackers seeking to maintain persistent access to organizational networks. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1021.001 for remote services, enabling attackers to establish persistent access and execute malicious commands. The lack of authentication requirements means that any external party can exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for devices deployed in untrusted network environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from the vendor to address the command injection flaw, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and implementation of network monitoring to detect suspicious command execution patterns. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary remote management interfaces and implementing strict access controls for router management functions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices, particularly in embedded systems where input validation and command execution contexts are critical security considerations. Regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices, including firmware version checks and vulnerability scanning, should be implemented to identify and remediate similar weaknesses before exploitation occurs. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting known router vulnerabilities and establish incident response procedures for rapid remediation when such vulnerabilities are discovered.