CVE-2025-9806 in F1202
Summary
by MITRE • 09/02/2025
A vulnerability was determined in Tenda F1202 1.2.0.9/1.2.0.14/1.2.0.20. Impacted is an unknown function of the file /etc_ro/shadow of the component Administrative Interface. This manipulation with the input Fireitup causes hard-coded credentials. The attack can only be executed locally. A high degree of complexity is needed for the attack. The exploitability is considered difficult. The exploit has been publicly disclosed and may be utilized.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-9806 affects the Tenda F1202 router firmware versions 1.2.0.9, 1.2.0.14, and 1.2.0.20, representing a critical security flaw within the device's administrative interface component. This weakness resides in the /etc_ro/shadow file processing functionality, which serves as a critical system component for user authentication and access control. The vulnerability manifests when specific input data, namely "Fireitup," is manipulated within the administrative interface, leading to the exposure of hard-coded credentials that should remain protected. The attack vector is limited to local execution, meaning that an attacker must have physical or network access to the device itself to exploit this vulnerability, which significantly reduces the attack surface compared to remotely exploitable flaws. However, the complexity required to successfully execute this attack is rated as high, indicating that specialized knowledge and potentially significant technical expertise are necessary to leverage this weakness effectively.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of credential exposure through improper input handling within the router's administrative subsystem. The /etc_ro/shadow file typically contains encrypted password hashes and user account information that should be protected from unauthorized access or manipulation. When the administrative interface processes the "Fireitup" input parameter, it appears to trigger an unintended code path that reveals stored credentials, effectively bypassing the normal authentication mechanisms. This flaw falls under the category of improper input validation and credential handling, which aligns with common weaknesses documented in the CWE database under categories related to credential management and input sanitization. The high complexity requirement suggests that the exploit may involve multiple steps including specific sequence execution, timing considerations, or specialized knowledge of the firmware's internal structure.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-9806 presents significant security implications for organizations and individuals utilizing affected Tenda F1202 devices, particularly in environments where physical security controls may be inadequate or where unauthorized access to network infrastructure could lead to broader compromise. Since this vulnerability requires local access for exploitation, it primarily affects scenarios where an attacker has already gained physical proximity to the device or has established a foothold on the local network. However, the potential for credential exposure means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with administrative privileges to modify router configurations, redirect network traffic, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The fact that this exploit has been publicly disclosed increases the risk profile significantly, as it removes the element of surprise that typically protects against newly discovered vulnerabilities. Network administrators should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1078 credential access tactics, where adversaries may leverage system weaknesses to obtain unauthorized access to administrative accounts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-9806 should focus on immediate firmware updates from Tenda to address the underlying vulnerability, combined with network segmentation and access controls to limit physical access to affected devices. Organizations should implement strict physical security measures around network infrastructure equipment and consider disabling unnecessary administrative interfaces when not actively required. The vulnerability's local execution requirement means that network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to alert on unusual administrative access patterns or attempts to manipulate system files. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to verify that devices are running patched firmware versions and that no unauthorized access attempts have occurred. System administrators should also consider implementing network access control lists and firewall rules to restrict access to administrative interfaces from unauthorized network segments. The disclosed nature of this exploit necessitates immediate action, as the window for exploitation is likely to increase as more threat actors become aware of the vulnerability and develop automated exploitation tools.