CVE-2025-15519 in Archer NX600 v3.0
Summary
by MITRE • 03/23/2026
Improper input handling in a modem-management administrative CLI command on TP-Link Archer NX200, NX210, NX500 and NX600 allows crafted input to be executed as part of an operating system command. An authenticated attacker with administrative privileges may execute arbitrary commands on the operating system, impacting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2026
This vulnerability exists within the command line interface of TP-Link Archer NX200, NX210, NX500, and NX600 modem management systems where insufficient input validation permits maliciously crafted commands to be executed with elevated privileges. The flaw represents a classic command injection vulnerability that arises from improper sanitization of user-supplied input before it is processed by the underlying operating system shell. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it requires only administrative authentication, which is typically restricted to authorized personnel within network infrastructure deployments. According to CWE-77, this corresponds to improper neutralization of special elements used in command execution, a well-documented weakness that enables attackers to manipulate system commands through input fields.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the administrative CLI's failure to properly escape or filter special characters that are meaningful to the operating system shell. When an authenticated administrator inputs commands through the CLI, the system does not adequately validate or sanitize the input before passing it to shell execution functions. This allows an attacker who has gained administrative credentials to inject malicious commands that will be executed with the privileges of the administrative account. The impact extends across all three pillars of cybersecurity confidentiality, integrity, and availability as the attacker can potentially access sensitive configuration data, modify system parameters, or even cause system instability through resource exhaustion attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for network administrators who rely on these devices for their network infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly dangerous because it allows for privilege escalation within the device's management interface, potentially enabling attackers to gain complete control over the modem's operations. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script interpretation, where adversaries leverage legitimate system tools to execute malicious code. Network defenders must recognize that this vulnerability could be exploited in lateral movement scenarios where attackers first gain access to administrative credentials through other means before leveraging this command injection flaw.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from TP-Link to address the input validation issues within the CLI implementation. Network administrators should also implement strict access controls and monitor CLI usage for suspicious patterns that might indicate command injection attempts. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary administrative interfaces when not in use, implementing network segmentation to limit access to these devices, and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure equipment. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous command execution patterns within their modem management interfaces. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in network infrastructure management, as unauthorized command execution can lead to complete system compromise and potential data breaches.