CVE-2024-39273 in AC3000
Summary
by MITRE • 01/14/2025
A firmware update vulnerability exists in the fw_check.sh functionality of Wavlink AC3000 M33A8.V5030.210505. A specially crafted HTTP request can lead to arbitrary firmware update. An attacker can perform a man-in-the-middle attack to trigger this vulnerability.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-39273 represents a critical security flaw within the firmware update mechanism of Wavlink AC3000 M33A8.V5030.210505 wireless routers. This issue stems from insufficient validation within the fw_check.sh script that handles firmware update operations, creating an avenue for unauthorized firmware manipulation. The vulnerability specifically affects the authentication and verification processes that occur during firmware update procedures, potentially allowing attackers to bypass normal security controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a man-in-the-middle attack vector where an attacker intercepts and modifies HTTP requests intended for firmware updates. The flaw resides in the firmware update script's failure to properly validate the source and integrity of firmware images, enabling attackers to craft malicious HTTP requests that appear legitimate to the router's update mechanism. This weakness allows attackers to replace the intended firmware with malicious code, potentially compromising the entire device and its network.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes affected devices to complete system compromise, as attackers can install backdoors, modify network configurations, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects network security at multiple levels, including the ability to intercept communications, perform unauthorized network modifications, and potentially escalate privileges to gain full administrative control over the affected routers. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potential network-wide infiltration.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-345 Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity, which addresses the failure to properly verify the authenticity and integrity of data before processing. Additionally, this issue maps to ATT&CK technique T1072 Software Deployment Tools, as it leverages legitimate update mechanisms for malicious purposes. The attack chain typically involves initial network reconnaissance, followed by interception of firmware update traffic, crafting of malicious firmware images, and deployment through the compromised update process.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates from the vendor, network segmentation to limit exposure, and implementation of network monitoring to detect anomalous firmware update activities. Organizations should also consider disabling automatic firmware updates when possible and implementing strict network access controls. The most effective long-term solution involves the vendor releasing a patched firmware version that properly validates update sources and implements cryptographic verification of firmware images. Network administrators should also deploy intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed firmware update requests and monitor for unusual traffic patterns associated with firmware modification attempts.