CVE-2025-45487 in E5600
Summary
by MITRE • 05/06/2025
Linksys E5600 v1.1.0.26 was discovered to contain a command injection vulnerability in the runtime.InternetConnection function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-45487 affects the Linksys E5600 router firmware version 1.1.0.26, specifically within the runtime.InternetConnection function. This represents a critical command injection flaw that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected device. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the internet connection configuration handling mechanism, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute unauthorized system commands. The affected firmware version demonstrates poor security practices in handling user-supplied data, particularly in network configuration parameters that are processed by the router's runtime environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the runtime.InternetConnection function fails to properly sanitize or validate input parameters received from network configuration requests. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that bypass normal input validation checks, allowing them to inject operating system commands directly into the router's command execution pipeline. This flaw falls under CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the runtime level of the router's firmware, meaning successful exploitation can provide attackers with direct access to the underlying operating system commands and potentially full administrative control over the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to data exfiltration, network reconnaissance, port forwarding, and establishing persistent backdoors. Once exploited, the attacker gains the ability to manipulate network traffic, modify router configurations, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the local network. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the device, making it particularly concerning for enterprise and home network environments. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1021.001 for remote services, as it enables remote code execution and network service manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Linksys to address the command injection flaw in the runtime.InternetConnection function. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of exploitation, while also monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate compromise. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary network services and regularly auditing router configurations to ensure that only essential services remain enabled. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in embedded systems, particularly in network infrastructure devices where security failures can have widespread consequences across entire network domains.