CVE-2025-10359: Wavlink WL-WN578W2 Firmware RCE Flaw

CVE-2025-10359 Overview

A critical OS command injection vulnerability has been identified in the Wavlink WL-WN578W2 wireless router firmware version 221110. This vulnerability impacts the function sub_404DBC within the /cgi-bin/wireless.cgi file. By manipulating the macAddr argument, an unauthenticated remote attacker can inject and execute arbitrary operating system commands on the affected device. The exploit has been publicly disclosed and the vendor (Wavlink) was contacted about this vulnerability but did not respond.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can execute arbitrary OS commands on vulnerable Wavlink WL-WN578W2 routers without authentication, potentially leading to complete device compromise, network pivoting, and data exfiltration.

Affected Products

• Wavlink WL-WN578W2 Firmware version M78W2_V221110
• Wavlink WL-WN578W2 Hardware Device
• All Wavlink WL-WN578W2 devices running vulnerable firmware versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-09-13 - CVE-2025-10359 published to NVD
• 2025-10-02 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-10359

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from improper input validation in the wireless configuration CGI handler of the Wavlink WL-WN578W2 router. The sub_404DBC function within /cgi-bin/wireless.cgi accepts user-supplied input through the macAddr parameter without adequate sanitization. This allows an attacker to inject shell metacharacters and arbitrary commands that are subsequently executed by the underlying operating system with the privileges of the web server process.

Command injection vulnerabilities in router firmware are particularly dangerous as they typically run with elevated privileges and provide attackers with a foothold into the target network. The network-accessible nature of this vulnerability means it can be exploited remotely without requiring any prior authentication or user interaction, making it an attractive target for automated scanning and exploitation.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-10359 is insufficient input validation and sanitization of the macAddr parameter in the /cgi-bin/wireless.cgi script. The vulnerable function sub_404DBC directly passes user-controlled input to system command execution functions without properly escaping shell metacharacters or validating the expected MAC address format. This represents a classic CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command) and CWE-77 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command) weakness pattern commonly found in embedded device firmware.

Attack Vector

The attack can be launched remotely over the network against the router's web management interface. An attacker sends a specially crafted HTTP request to /cgi-bin/wireless.cgi containing malicious shell commands within the macAddr parameter. The vulnerable function processes this input and executes the injected commands on the underlying Linux operating system. No authentication is required, and the attack does not require any user interaction.

The exploitation scenario typically involves:

1. Identifying a vulnerable Wavlink WL-WN578W2 router exposed to the network
2. Crafting an HTTP request with command injection payload in the macAddr parameter
3. Sending the request to the /cgi-bin/wireless.cgi endpoint
4. Achieving command execution on the target device

Technical details and proof-of-concept information can be found in the GitHub Wireless Exploit repository and the associated PoC documentation.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-10359

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests to /cgi-bin/wireless.cgi containing shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &, or backticks in the macAddr parameter
• Unexpected outbound network connections from the router to external IP addresses
• Modified router configurations or new user accounts that were not created by administrators
• Suspicious processes running on the router that are not part of normal firmware operations

Detection Strategies

• Implement network-based intrusion detection rules to monitor for HTTP requests containing command injection patterns targeting /cgi-bin/wireless.cgi
• Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules to filter requests with shell metacharacters in the macAddr parameter
• Monitor router access logs for repeated requests to CGI endpoints from untrusted sources
• Utilize SentinelOne Singularity Platform for network-level visibility and threat detection across connected devices

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on the router's web interface if available and forward logs to a centralized SIEM
• Monitor for DNS queries to known malicious domains originating from router IP addresses
• Conduct periodic firmware integrity checks to detect unauthorized modifications
• Implement network segmentation to isolate IoT devices and limit lateral movement opportunities

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-10359

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict access to the router's web management interface to trusted internal networks only
• Disable remote management features if not explicitly required for operations
• Implement firewall rules to block external access to the router's administrative interfaces on ports 80 and 443
• Consider replacing vulnerable Wavlink WL-WN578W2 devices with alternative hardware from vendors with better security response practices

Patch Information

As of the last modified date of 2025-10-02, no official patch has been released by Wavlink. The vendor was contacted about this vulnerability during the disclosure process but did not respond. Users should monitor the Wavlink support website for potential firmware updates. Given the lack of vendor response, organizations should strongly consider implementing compensating controls or replacing affected devices.

For additional vulnerability details, refer to the VulDB entry #323773.

Workarounds

• Place the router behind an additional firewall that restricts access to the management interface
• Use a VPN to access the router's management interface rather than exposing it directly
• Implement network access control lists (ACLs) to limit which IP addresses can communicate with the router's web interface
• Consider deploying an upstream intrusion prevention system (IPS) to filter malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable device

# Example iptables rules to restrict management interface access
# Run on an upstream firewall or gateway device

# Block external access to the router's web management ports
iptables -A FORWARD -d <router_ip> -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP
iptables -A FORWARD -d <router_ip> -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP

# Allow only trusted management network to access the router
iptables -I FORWARD -s <trusted_network>/24 -d <router_ip> -p tcp --dport 80 -j ACCEPT
iptables -I FORWARD -s <trusted_network>/24 -d <router_ip> -p tcp --dport 443 -j ACCEPT