CVE-2026-116838 in airMAX M
Summary
by MITRE • 10/27/2026
A malicious actor who lures an authenticated user to a malicious page could exploit a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability found in airMAX M devices to execute a Command Injection on the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2026
The described scenario outlines a critical security flaw within airMAX wireless networking devices, specifically involving a chained attack vector that combines Cross-Site Request Forgery with Command Injection. This vulnerability exploits the lack of proper validation mechanisms in the web-based management interface of these devices. When an authenticated user is tricked into visiting a malicious webpage crafted by an attacker, the browser automatically includes any stored session cookies or authentication tokens associated with the airMAX device's administrative portal. The malicious page contains hidden forms or scripts that silently submit requests to the vulnerable endpoints on the target device without the user's explicit knowledge or consent. This mechanism effectively bypasses standard access controls because the server perceives the request as legitimate, originating from an authorized session.
The core technical flaw lies in the insufficient verification of the Origin and Referer headers, along with the absence of anti-CSRF tokens for critical administrative functions. By leveraging this weakness, an attacker can force the device to execute arbitrary system commands under the context of the logged-in administrator account. This transition from a state-changing web request to remote code execution represents a severe escalation in risk severity. The Command Injection vulnerability allows the attacker to interact directly with the underlying operating system or firmware shell, potentially gaining full control over the network infrastructure managed by these devices.
The operational impact of this combined exploitation is profound and far-reaching. An adversary who successfully executes commands on an airMAX device can manipulate routing tables, intercept traffic, launch denial-of-service attacks against connected clients, or use the compromised device as a pivot point to attack other systems within the local network segment. Furthermore, persistent backdoors could be installed, leading to long-term unauthorized access and data exfiltration. Since these devices often serve as gateways for broader enterprise networks, the compromise can lead to widespread disruption of connectivity and potential exposure of sensitive corporate data traversing the wireless infrastructure.
To mitigate this risk, immediate action is required at both configuration and software levels. Administrators should ensure that all airMAX firmware versions are updated to the latest stable release provided by the vendor, as patches for such vulnerabilities typically address input validation and session management flaws. Additionally, implementing strict network segmentation can limit the blast radius if a device is compromised. From a defensive perspective, deploying Web Application Firewalls with rules designed to detect anomalous request patterns or missing CSRF tokens can provide an additional layer of protection. Users must also be educated on social engineering tactics, as the initial vector relies heavily on luring authenticated users to malicious sites, highlighting the importance of maintaining secure browsing habits even when logged into administrative interfaces.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which defines Cross-Site Request Forgery, and CWE-78, which covers Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command, commonly known as OS Command Injection. In terms of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this attack path corresponds to T1076, Remote Desktop Protocol Abuse or similar techniques for executing commands on remote systems, specifically leveraging valid credentials obtained through social engineering and session hijacking via CSRF. The exploitation demonstrates how web application vulnerabilities can serve as a gateway to deeper system compromise when proper input sanitization and request validation are not enforced in administrative interfaces.