CVE-2026-24426 in AC7
Summary
by MITRE • 02/03/2026
Shenzhen Tenda AC7 firmware version V03.03.03.01_cn and prior contain an improper output encoding vulnerability in the web management interface. User-supplied input is reflected in HTTP responses without adequate escaping, allowing injection of arbitrary HTML or JavaScript in a victim’s browser context.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-24426 affects the Shenzhen Tenda AC7 router firmware version V03.03.03.01_cn and earlier releases, representing a critical improper output encoding flaw within the device's web management interface. This weakness stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input that is subsequently reflected in HTTP responses without proper HTML escaping mechanisms. The affected system fails to adequately process or encode data before rendering it in the browser context, creating an environment where malicious input can be executed as part of the web page content.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and specifically represents a reflected XSS attack vector that operates through the web interface of the network device. The flaw allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts into HTTP responses that are then executed in the context of a victim's browser session. When a user accesses a maliciously crafted URL or interacts with a compromised web page, the injected JavaScript code executes within the victim's browser with the privileges and permissions of the authenticated user session. This creates a significant security risk as the malicious code can potentially access session cookies, modify page content, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of the authenticated user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to the network infrastructure through the compromised management interface. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to the router's configuration settings, modify network parameters, redirect traffic, or even install malicious firmware updates. The reflected nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the attack requires user interaction with a malicious link, but once executed, it can provide attackers with complete administrative control over the affected device. The vulnerability affects the web management interface specifically, which means that network administrators who access the device through a web browser are at risk, particularly if they visit malicious sites or click on compromised links.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the web application. The firmware should employ comprehensive HTML escaping for all user-supplied input that is reflected in HTTP responses, ensuring that special characters are properly encoded before rendering in the browser. Network administrators should immediately upgrade to the latest firmware version that addresses this vulnerability, as the manufacturer should have implemented proper sanitization routines for all web interface parameters. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script injection attacks, while network segmentation and access controls can limit the potential impact if an attacker does gain access to the device. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in network device firmware development, particularly in web interfaces that handle user input. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular firmware update schedules to address known vulnerabilities in network infrastructure components.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Scripting and T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol, as it leverages web-based attack vectors to execute malicious code within the victim's browser environment. The attack chain typically involves crafting malicious URLs with encoded script payloads that, when visited by an authenticated user, trigger the XSS vulnerability and enable the attacker to execute arbitrary commands or steal session information. This represents a common attack pattern in network security where device management interfaces become primary targets due to their privileged access and user interaction requirements.