CVE-2026-24441 in AC7
Summary
by MITRE • 02/03/2026
Shenzhen Tenda AC7 firmware version V03.03.03.01_cn and prior expose account credentials in plaintext within HTTP responses, allowing an on-path attacker to obtain sensitive authentication material.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-24441 affects the Shenzhen Tenda AC7 firmware versions prior to V03.03.03.01_cn, presenting a critical security flaw that compromises user authentication credentials through insecure data transmission practices. This issue manifests when the affected firmware transmits account credentials in plaintext format within HTTP responses, creating an exploitable condition that enables malicious actors to intercept and extract sensitive authentication information during network communication. The flaw represents a significant deviation from secure coding practices and network security standards, as it violates fundamental principles of credential protection and secure communication protocols.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the firmware's improper handling of authentication data within its web interface components. When users interact with the device's administrative interface, the system fails to encrypt or obfuscate credential information during HTTP response transmission, resulting in plaintext exposure of account details. This design flaw creates a direct attack vector for man-in-the-middle adversaries who can position themselves within the network path between the client and the router. The vulnerability specifically impacts the HTTP protocol implementation within the firmware's web server component, where authentication tokens and user credentials are transmitted without proper encryption mechanisms. This weakness aligns with CWE-312, which classifies insecure data transmission as a critical vulnerability category, and represents a direct violation of secure communication standards.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables comprehensive unauthorized access to network devices and their associated services. An on-path attacker who successfully intercepts the plaintext credentials can gain full administrative control over the affected Tenda AC7 routers, potentially leading to complete network compromise. This access level allows adversaries to modify network configurations, implement malicious routing rules, disable security features, and establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise and can be accomplished through standard network monitoring tools, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment. The attack surface is further expanded due to the common usage of these routers in residential and small office environments where network monitoring capabilities may be limited.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security enhancements within the affected firmware ecosystem. The primary recommendation involves updating to firmware version V03.03.03.01_cn or later, which incorporates proper credential encryption mechanisms and secure transmission protocols. Network administrators should implement additional protective measures including mandatory use of HTTPS for all administrative interfaces, deployment of network segmentation policies, and regular monitoring for suspicious traffic patterns. The implementation of secure communication protocols such as TLS 1.3 should be enforced to prevent plaintext credential exposure, aligning with NIST SP 800-52 guidelines for secure network communications. Organizations should also consider deploying network intrusion detection systems capable of identifying and alerting on plaintext credential transmission attempts, as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework's credential access techniques. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar exposure vulnerabilities across the network infrastructure.