CVE-2026-111461 in OnCell G3150A-LTE
Summary
by MITRE • 10/27/2026
An OS command injection vulnerability exists in OnCell G3150A-LTE Series. When the SMS management functionality is enabled and configured, a remote attacker with the required privileges could exploit insufficient input validation in the SMS management functionality to execute arbitrary commands on the affected device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2026
The OnCell G3150A-LTE Series represents a class of industrial cellular routers often deployed in critical infrastructure environments where reliable connectivity is paramount. These devices frequently serve as gateways between local networks and wide area networks, handling sensitive operational data. The vulnerability identified within this hardware involves an OS command injection flaw located specifically within the SMS management functionality. This component is designed to allow administrators or automated systems to send short message service texts for configuration updates, alerts, or remote control purposes. When this feature is enabled and properly configured by a user with administrative privileges, it introduces a significant attack surface that can be exploited if input validation mechanisms are insufficiently robust.
The core technical flaw stems from the improper neutralization of special elements used in operating system commands within the SMS processing logic. In many embedded systems, command injection vulnerabilities arise when user-supplied data is concatenated directly into shell commands without adequate sanitization or escaping. An attacker who possesses valid credentials and access to the device's management interface can craft a maliciously formatted SMS message containing executable code fragments. Because the vulnerability requires the SMS functionality to be enabled, it highlights a common misconfiguration risk where features intended for convenience are left active in production environments despite potential security implications. The exploitation does not require network-level exposure of other services but rather relies on the ability to send an SMS to the device's SIM card or interface, which may be accessible through various means depending on the deployment topology and cellular provider configurations.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command commonly known as OS Command Injection. This category encompasses flaws where software fails to neutralize special characters that could alter command execution semantics. Furthermore, the exploitation technique maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK tactic T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter under sub-technique 1059.004 Unix Shell Commands. The attacker leverages this capability to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the application running on the device, which is typically root or a high-level system account in embedded Linux environments common in such routers. This privilege level allows for complete compromise of the underlying operating system rather than just the specific application service.
The operational impact of successfully exploiting this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Once an attacker achieves command execution on the device, they can manipulate network routing tables to intercept or redirect traffic, install persistent backdoors for long-term access, disable logging mechanisms to cover their tracks, or even brick the device by corrupting critical system files. In industrial settings, such a compromise could lead to physical process disruptions if the router controls SCADA systems or IoT sensors. The ability to execute arbitrary commands effectively grants full control over the host operating system, enabling lateral movement into other parts of the network that rely on this gateway for connectivity. This undermines the confidentiality, integrity, and availability principles central to cybersecurity frameworks.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Vendors should release firmware updates that implement strict input validation and parameterization techniques within the SMS management module to prevent command injection. Administrators operating these devices should immediately disable the SMS functionality if it is not strictly required for operational workflows, thereby reducing the attack surface. If SMS features must remain enabled, access controls should be tightened using strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication or certificate-based login rather than simple passwords. Additionally, network segmentation practices should ensure that management interfaces are isolated from untrusted networks and only accessible via secure administrative channels with IP whitelisting where possible. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing focused on embedded device security can help identify similar flaws before they are exploited in the wild.