CVE-2024-2853 Overview
CVE-2024-2853 is an OS command injection vulnerability in the Tenda AC10U wireless router running firmware versions 15.03.06.48 and 15.03.06.49. The flaw resides in the formSetSambaConf function of the /goform/setsambacfg endpoint. Attackers can manipulate the usbName argument to inject arbitrary operating system commands. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network without authentication or user interaction. The issue is tracked in VulDB as entry VDB-257777 and maps to [CWE-78]. Public technical details have been disclosed, and the vendor did not respond to disclosure attempts.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can execute arbitrary OS commands on affected Tenda AC10U routers, gaining full control of the device and a pivot point into the local network.
Affected Products
- Tenda AC10U Router (hardware revision 1.0)
- Tenda AC10U Firmware version 15.03.06.48
- Tenda AC10U Firmware version 15.03.06.49
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-03-24 - CVE-2024-2853 published to NVD
- 2024-11-21 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-2853
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability exists in the Samba configuration handler exposed by the router's web management interface. The formSetSambaConf function processes HTTP POST requests sent to the /goform/setsambacfg endpoint. The function reads the usbName parameter from the request and incorporates it into a shell command without proper sanitization or input validation. Because the parameter is concatenated into a system command string, attackers can append shell metacharacters such as ;, |, or backticks to break out of the intended command context and execute arbitrary binaries. The router's web server runs with root privileges, so injected commands inherit full system access. Successful exploitation grants persistent control over the device, enabling traffic interception, DNS manipulation, and use of the router as a foothold for lateral movement.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command [CWE-78]. The formSetSambaConf handler trusts user-supplied input for the usbName field and passes it directly to a shell execution function. No allowlist, character filtering, or argument escaping is applied before the command is executed.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires only network reachability to the router's HTTP management interface. An attacker sends a crafted POST request to /goform/setsambacfg containing a malicious usbName value with embedded shell metacharacters. If the management interface is exposed to the WAN, the attack is reachable from the internet. On LAN-only deployments, any compromised device or malicious client on the network can trigger the flaw. Full technical reproduction steps are documented in the GitHub IoT Vulnerability Documentation and VulDB entry #257777.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-2853
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP POST requests to /goform/setsambacfg containing shell metacharacters (;, |, &, backticks, $()) within the usbName parameter.
- Unexpected outbound connections originating from the router to attacker-controlled hosts following access to the Samba configuration endpoint.
- Modifications to router configuration, DNS settings, or firmware integrity that cannot be attributed to administrator actions.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect network traffic for HTTP requests targeting /goform/setsambacfg and flag payloads where usbName contains non-alphanumeric characters outside an expected allowlist.
- Correlate router management interface access with subsequent anomalous DNS queries or outbound traffic from the router's IP address.
- Deploy IDS/IPS signatures that match command injection patterns in POST bodies destined for Tenda AC10U management endpoints.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Log and review all administrative access to router management interfaces, alerting on requests from unexpected source addresses.
- Monitor for traffic to and from router IP addresses on non-standard ports, which can indicate post-exploitation command-and-control activity.
- Track the router's exposed services using periodic external scans to confirm the management interface is not reachable from the internet.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-2853
Immediate Actions Required
- Disable remote (WAN-side) administration on the Tenda AC10U management interface and restrict access to a trusted management VLAN.
- Disable the Samba/USB sharing feature on the router if it is not in active use, removing the vulnerable code path from reachable functionality.
- Change administrative credentials and audit router configuration for unauthorized changes to DNS, port forwarding, and firewall rules.
Patch Information
No vendor patch is available. According to the public disclosure, the vendor was contacted but did not respond. Organizations using the Tenda AC10U on firmware 15.03.06.48 or 15.03.06.49 should evaluate replacement with a supported device, as the manufacturer has not issued a fix or security advisory for this issue.
Workarounds
- Place the router behind a network segmentation boundary that blocks untrusted clients from reaching its HTTP management interface.
- Apply upstream firewall rules to drop inbound connections to the router's web administration port from the WAN.
- Replace the affected device with a vendor-supported router that receives security updates, given the absence of a vendor response.
# Example: block WAN-side access to the router management interface on an upstream firewall
iptables -A FORWARD -i wan0 -p tcp --dport 80 -d <router_ip> -j DROP
iptables -A FORWARD -i wan0 -p tcp --dport 443 -d <router_ip> -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
