CVE-2026-2081 in DIR-823X
Summary
by MITRE • 02/07/2026
A vulnerability was determined in D-Link DIR-823X 250416. The affected element is an unknown function of the file /goform/set_password. This manipulation of the argument http_passwd causes os command injection. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. The exploit has been publicly disclosed and may be utilized.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-2081 affects the D-Link DIR-823X 250416 router model and represents a critical command injection flaw within the web interface administration functionality. This vulnerability exists in the /goform/set_password endpoint which processes user input through the http_passwd parameter without adequate sanitization or validation. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious operating system commands directly into the router's underlying system, potentially compromising the entire network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can leverage this weakness from outside the local network without requiring physical access or prior authentication credentials.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94, categorizing it as a command injection vulnerability that enables arbitrary code execution. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied input passed through the http_passwd parameter, allowing malicious payloads to be interpreted and executed as shell commands by the underlying operating system. This type of vulnerability typically arises from improper input handling where user data flows directly into system execution contexts without proper encoding or validation mechanisms. The attack vector leverages the web form interface which processes administrative password changes, making it particularly dangerous as legitimate administrative functions become attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on the affected router. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to modify network configurations, install malware, establish persistent backdoors, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The vulnerability's public disclosure status significantly increases the risk profile as threat actors can readily develop and deploy exploits without requiring advanced technical knowledge. Network administrators may face unauthorized access to sensitive network infrastructure, potential data exfiltration, and disruption of network services. The compromised device could serve as a staging ground for broader network attacks, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through firmware updates from D-Link, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific command injection vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to administrative interfaces, particularly limiting access to the /goform/set_password endpoint. Input validation and sanitization measures must be enforced at the application level to prevent malicious payloads from being processed. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized administrative access attempts. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege for administrative accounts and disabling unnecessary web interfaces can reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures to quickly address potential compromises. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter demonstrates the critical nature of preventing unauthorized command execution in network infrastructure devices.