CVE-2026-71993 in Radix AXE6600
Summary
by MITRE • 08/09/2026
MSI Radix AXE6600 router firmware version v781521 contains a command injection vulnerability in the openvpn function that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected device. Attackers can exploit the macfilter function to inject malicious commands and obtain root privileges on the underlying system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2026
The MSi Radix AXE6600 router represents a significant network infrastructure device that serves as a gateway for home and small office environments, making it a critical target for cyber adversaries seeking persistent access to network resources. This particular vulnerability resides within the firmware version v781521, which indicates a specific software release where inadequate input validation mechanisms were implemented in the openvpn function. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected device, fundamentally compromising the router's integrity and security posture. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they allow attackers to gain root privileges without requiring physical access or legitimate credentials, creating a backdoor for extensive network infiltration.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the macfilter function, which serves as an entry point for command injection attacks. This function likely processes MAC address filtering configurations and fails to properly sanitize user inputs before passing them to underlying system commands. When attackers manipulate parameters within the macfilter function, they can inject malicious shell commands that execute with the highest privileges available on the router. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, which specifically address command injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper validation or sanitization. These weaknesses enable attackers to escalate their privileges from standard user level to root access, effectively granting them complete control over the router's operating system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the underlying network infrastructure and potentially to all connected devices within the local network segment. Once an attacker obtains root privileges, they can modify firewall rules, redirect traffic through malicious proxies, install additional malware, or establish persistent backdoors for future access. The attack surface becomes significantly larger as the compromised router can serve as a pivot point for lateral movement throughout the network, allowing attackers to target other systems that may not be directly exposed to the internet. This scenario particularly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1566 for credential access through social engineering or compromised credentials.
Effective mitigation strategies require immediate firmware updates from MSI to address the command injection vulnerability within the openvpn function. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and access control measures to limit the potential impact of a successful exploitation attempt, while also monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that may indicate compromise. The device should be configured with strong authentication mechanisms, including complex passwords and multi-factor authentication where possible. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues within other network infrastructure components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and privilege separation in embedded systems. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for anomalous command execution patterns or unusual network behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts against similar vulnerabilities in other network devices.