CVE-2023-6437 in EX20v AX1800
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2024
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') vulnerability in TP-Link TP-Link EX20v AX1800, Tp-Link Archer C5v AC1200, Tp-Link TD-W9970, Tp-Link TD-W9970v3, TP-Link VX220-G2u, TP-Link VN020-G2u allows authenticated OS Command Injection.
This issue affects TP-Link EX20v AX1800, Tp-Link Archer C5v AC1200, Tp-Link TD-W9970, Tp-Link TD-W9970v3 : through 20240328. Also the vulnerability continues in the TP-Link VX220-G2u and TP-Link VN020-G2u models due to the products not being produced and supported.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-6437 represents a critical operating system command injection flaw within Turk Telekom TP-Link devices, specifically impacting versions through 2024.03.28. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-77, which defines improper neutralization of special elements used in operating system commands. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary operating system commands through improperly validated input fields within the TP-Link device interfaces, potentially allowing full system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is directly incorporated into operating system commands without adequate sanitization or validation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that, when processed by the affected TP-Link devices, execute unintended system commands with the privileges of the affected application. This injection occurs at the operating system level, bypassing application-level controls and potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources, execute arbitrary code, or manipulate device configurations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects network infrastructure devices that often operate with elevated privileges and may serve as entry points for broader network attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-6437 extends beyond immediate device compromise to encompass potential network-wide consequences. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain persistent access to the affected network infrastructure, potentially enabling lateral movement attacks, data exfiltration, or disruption of network services. The affected TP-Link devices may serve as critical network components in enterprise or residential environments, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could provide attackers with a foothold for more extensive compromise operations. The attack surface is further expanded due to the nature of command injection vulnerabilities, which can often be leveraged to escalate privileges or execute additional malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-6437 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from TP-Link to address the identified command injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to affected devices and employ network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous command execution patterns. Input validation and sanitization measures should be strengthened across all device interfaces to prevent injection of malicious commands. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, representing a critical threat that requires immediate attention and remediation to prevent potential exploitation by threat actors. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in network infrastructure components and ensure comprehensive protection against command injection attacks.