CVE-2024-7215: Totolink LR1200 Firmware RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-7215 Overview

CVE-2024-7215 is a command injection vulnerability affecting the TOTOLINK LR1200 router running firmware version 9.3.1cu.2832. The flaw resides in the NTPSyncWithHost function within /cgi-bin/cstecgi.cgi. An attacker can manipulate the host_time argument to inject arbitrary operating system commands. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network and requires only low privileges. A public exploit disclosure exists under VulDB identifier VDB-272786. The vendor was contacted before public disclosure but did not respond.

Critical Impact
Remote attackers with low privileges can execute arbitrary commands on affected TOTOLINK LR1200 routers by injecting shell metacharacters into the host_time parameter of the NTPSyncWithHost handler.

Affected Products

TOTOLINK LR1200 hardware device
TOTOLINK LR1200 firmware version 9.3.1cu.2832
Deployments exposing the web management interface (/cgi-bin/cstecgi.cgi) to untrusted networks

Discovery Timeline

2024-07-30 - CVE-2024-7215 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-7215

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a command injection flaw classified under [CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command]. The affected code path handles NTP synchronization requests inside the router's CGI binary cstecgi.cgi. When a client submits a request that invokes the NTPSyncWithHost function, the value of the host_time parameter is incorporated into a command executed by the underlying shell without sufficient sanitization.

Because the argument reaches a command interpreter, an attacker can append shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &, or backticks to break out of the intended command context. The injected payload runs with the privileges of the CGI process, which on consumer TOTOLINK devices typically maps to root. This yields full command execution on the device.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing input validation and neutralization on the host_time parameter before it is concatenated into a system command string. The application trusts user-supplied input as data when it is instead interpreted by the shell.

Attack Vector

Exploitation is remote and network-based. The attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to /cgi-bin/cstecgi.cgi invoking the NTPSyncWithHost topic with a host_time value containing shell metacharacters. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates the attack requires low privileges but no user interaction. Devices that expose the management interface to the internet or to untrusted LAN segments are directly reachable.

See the public technical writeup: GitHub IoT Vulnerability Documentation.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-7215

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP POST requests to /cgi-bin/cstecgi.cgi containing the NTPSyncWithHost topic with shell metacharacters (;, |, &, `, $() in the host_time field
Outbound connections from the router to unexpected hosts shortly after receipt of a management HTTP request
Unexpected child processes spawned by the CGI handler, such as wget, curl, sh, busybox, or nc
New or modified files in writable paths such as /tmp on the device

Detection Strategies

Inspect HTTP request bodies destined for cstecgi.cgi and alert on non-numeric or metacharacter content in the host_time parameter
Correlate management-plane HTTP requests with subsequent egress traffic from the router to identify command-and-control callbacks
Baseline expected NTP server destinations and flag deviations initiated by the router

Monitoring Recommendations

Log and retain all administrative HTTP traffic to the router for retrospective analysis
Monitor for scanning activity against TCP/80 and TCP/443 targeting /cgi-bin/cstecgi.cgi
Alert on router-originated outbound traffic to non-approved IP ranges or ports

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-7215

Immediate Actions Required

Remove the LR1200 web management interface from any untrusted network, including the WAN
Restrict access to /cgi-bin/cstecgi.cgi to a small, trusted management VLAN or host list
Rotate administrative credentials and verify no unauthorized configuration changes are present
Consider replacing the device if it is deployed in a security-sensitive environment, given the lack of vendor response

Patch Information

No vendor patch is referenced in the available advisories. TOTOLINK did not respond to the reporter's disclosure. Consult the VulDB entry #272786 and the VulDB CTI record for updates on any future vendor response.

Workarounds

Disable remote (WAN-side) administration entirely on the LR1200
Place the device behind a firewall that blocks inbound connections to the management interface
Enforce strong, unique credentials for any account with access to the web UI to raise the bar against the low-privilege prerequisite
If feasible, migrate to a supported router platform that receives active security maintenance

bash

# Example: block external access to the management interface upstream of the router
# (adjust interface names and management CIDR to match your environment)
iptables -A FORWARD -p tcp -d <LR1200_IP> --dport 80  -j DROP
iptables -A FORWARD -p tcp -d <LR1200_IP> --dport 443 -j DROP
iptables -I FORWARD -p tcp -s <MGMT_CIDR> -d <LR1200_IP> --dport 80  -j ACCEPT
iptables -I FORWARD -p tcp -s <MGMT_CIDR> -d <LR1200_IP> --dport 443 -j ACCEPT