CVE-2025-32457 in Quantenna Wi-Fi Chipset
Summary
by MITRE • 06/09/2025
The Quantenna Wi-Fi chipset ships with a local control script, router_command.sh (in the get_file_from_qtn argument), that is vulnerable to command injection. This is an instance of CWE-88, "Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command ('Argument Injection')," and is estimated as a CVSS 7.7 (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N). This issue affects Quantenna Wi-Fi chipset through version 8.0.0.28 of the latest SDK, and appears to be unpatched at the time of this CVE record's first publishing, though the vendor has released a best practices guide for implementors of this chipset.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-32457 resides within the Quantenna Wi-Fi chipset ecosystem, specifically targeting a local control script named router_command.sh. This script operates within the get_file_from_qtn argument context and demonstrates a critical command injection flaw that enables unauthorized execution of arbitrary commands on affected devices. The vulnerability represents a direct instance of CWE-88, which classifies improper neutralization of argument delimiters in command contexts, making it particularly dangerous for networked devices that process user-supplied inputs. The CVSS score of 7.7 indicates high severity with local access requirements but no user interaction needed, suggesting that any attacker with physical access to the device or administrative privileges could exploit this vulnerability to gain significant control over the system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of command arguments passed to the router_command.sh script, where input validation fails to properly sanitize user-provided data before being incorporated into system commands. This flaw allows attackers to inject malicious commands that bypass normal execution paths and potentially escalate privileges or execute arbitrary code with the highest system permissions. The impact extends beyond simple command execution as it can enable complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor establishment. The vulnerability affects all Quantenna Wi-Fi chipsets running versions up to and including 8.0.0.28 of the SDK, indicating a broad attack surface across multiple device models and implementations that rely on this chipset architecture.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risk to network infrastructure and IoT deployments that utilize Quantenna chipsets, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical networking equipment. The lack of a patch at the time of CVE publication means that affected organizations have limited immediate remediation options, forcing them to rely on temporary mitigations and workarounds. The vendor's release of a best practices guide for implementors provides some guidance but does not constitute a formal security patch, leaving devices vulnerable to exploitation. This situation aligns with ATT&CK framework tactics that emphasize privilege escalation and command execution, where adversaries can leverage such vulnerabilities to establish persistent access and move laterally within networks. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-88 specifically highlights the dangerous nature of argument injection flaws that can bypass traditional input validation mechanisms and directly interact with underlying operating system commands.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to limit access to affected devices, disabling unnecessary services and interfaces, and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns. The recommended approach involves restricting access to the router_command.sh script and implementing strict input validation controls that prevent delimiter injection. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected devices and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure. While the vulnerability requires local access for exploitation, the potential for remote exploitation through other attack vectors remains possible, particularly in environments where physical access can be gained through social engineering or supply chain compromise. The absence of vendor patches at the time of publication necessitates the implementation of defensive measures such as intrusion detection system rules targeting command injection patterns and regular security assessments to monitor for exploitation attempts.