CVE-2024-21773: TP-Link Archer AX3000 RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-21773 Overview

CVE-2024-21773 is an OS command injection vulnerability [CWE-78] affecting multiple TP-Link consumer networking products. A network-adjacent unauthenticated attacker with access to the device through a LAN port or Wi-Fi can execute arbitrary operating system commands. Exploitation requires that the device has pre-specified target devices and blocked URLs configured in the parental control settings. The flaw affects the Archer AX3000, Archer AX5400, Deco X50, and Deco XE200 product lines. Successful exploitation gives an attacker full control over the router, exposing all downstream traffic and connected clients to interception, manipulation, or pivoting.

Critical Impact
An unauthenticated attacker on the local network can achieve arbitrary OS command execution on the router, compromising every device on the network segment.

Affected Products

TP-Link Archer AX3000 (firmware and hardware v1.0)
TP-Link Archer AX5400 (firmware and hardware v1.0)
TP-Link Deco X50 and Deco XE200 (firmware and hardware v1.0)

Discovery Timeline

2024-01-11 - CVE-2024-21773 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-21773

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the parental control feature of affected TP-Link routers. Parental control settings accept user-supplied values that identify target devices and URLs to block. Affected firmware passes these values into an OS-level command execution path without adequate sanitization or safe argument handling. An attacker on the LAN or Wi-Fi segment can craft input that breaks out of the intended command context. This yields arbitrary command execution on the router with the privileges of the calling process, typically root on embedded Linux firmware.

Because exploitation does not require authentication, any client that reaches the router's management interface from the local network can trigger the flaw. TP-Link has published updated firmware for each affected model. See the JVN Vulnerability Report for coordinated disclosure details.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command [CWE-78]. Parental control configuration values reach a shell or system-call interface without proper argument separation or escaping. Metacharacters such as ;, |, &, and backticks are not filtered from the target device or blocked URL fields, allowing command chaining.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is adjacent network. The attacker must be connected to the router via LAN or Wi-Fi but does not need valid credentials. The attacker sends a crafted request that modifies parental control settings to include shell metacharacters in the target device or blocked URL parameters. When the router processes the configuration, the injected commands execute in the router's shell context. The device must already have parental control target devices and blocked URLs configured for the affected code path to be reached.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-21773

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected outbound connections originating from the router's management interface to unfamiliar IP addresses
New or modified parental control entries containing shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &, or backticks in target device names or blocked URLs
Unauthorized changes to router DNS settings, firewall rules, or administrative credentials
Presence of new processes, cron jobs, or startup scripts on the router that are not part of stock firmware

Detection Strategies

Inspect router configuration backups and parental control settings for entries containing shell metacharacters or unusual URL patterns
Monitor DHCP and ARP tables for unauthorized clients on the LAN or Wi-Fi that could stage local attacks
Enable syslog forwarding from the router to a central log collector and alert on configuration changes to parental control features

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward router logs to a centralized SIEM or log platform and baseline normal administrative activity
Alert on any modification to parental control settings from a source other than known administrator devices
Track firmware version and configuration drift across managed TP-Link devices in inventory

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-21773

Immediate Actions Required

Update affected TP-Link devices to the latest firmware version available on the vendor support pages linked below
Restrict Wi-Fi access to trusted clients using WPA2/WPA3 with strong passphrases and disable open guest networks until patched
Audit and remove any suspicious parental control entries, then reset the router to factory defaults if compromise is suspected
Change administrator credentials on the router after patching

Patch Information

TP-Link has released updated firmware for each affected model. Download the appropriate firmware from the vendor:

Workarounds

Disable the parental control feature until firmware can be applied, since the vulnerable code path requires configured target devices and blocked URLs
Limit LAN and Wi-Fi access to trusted users and devices and segment untrusted IoT devices onto an isolated network
Disable remote management and ensure the router's administrative interface is not exposed to guest network segments

bash

# Verify current firmware version via router web UI or SSH (if enabled)
# Example: check firmware banner on supported models
uname -a
cat /etc/version 2>/dev/null || cat /etc/openwrt_release 2>/dev/null

# After patching, confirm parental control entries are clean
# Review any custom entries for shell metacharacters: ; | & ` $( )