CVE-2025-25053: Wi-Fi AP UNIT AC-WPS-11ac RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-25053 Overview

CVE-2025-25053 is an operating system (OS) command injection vulnerability in the web management interface of the Inaba AC-WPS-11ac series Wi-Fi Access Point (AP) UNIT. The flaw resides in the setting page of the product's WEB UI. An authenticated remote attacker can inject arbitrary OS commands that execute on the underlying device. Successful exploitation grants control over the access point and the network segment it serves. The weakness is tracked under CWE-78, Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command.

Critical Impact
An authenticated attacker can execute arbitrary OS commands on affected Wi-Fi access points, leading to full device compromise and potential pivoting into internal networks.

Affected Products

Inaba Wi-Fi AP UNIT AC-WPS-11ac series
Devices exposing the WEB UI setting page to attacker-reachable networks
Deployments where management credentials are weak, shared, or default

Discovery Timeline

2025-04-09 - CVE-2025-25053 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

See the JVN Security Vulnerability Report and the Inaba Security Advisory for vendor-coordinated disclosure details.

Technical Details for CVE-2025-25053

Vulnerability Analysis

The AC-WPS-11ac series exposes administrative functions through a web-based configuration interface. One or more parameters in the setting page are passed to an OS-level shell or command execution function without proper sanitization. An authenticated attacker submits crafted input containing shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &&, or backticks. The embedded firmware then executes the injected commands with the privileges of the web service process, which on most embedded Linux access points runs as root.

The vulnerability requires valid login credentials, but the access point is typically managed by a small set of accounts. Credential reuse, default passwords, and phishing of administrators all lower the practical exploitation bar. Network-adjacent attackers and remote attackers reaching the management interface through a misconfigured firewall or VPN are within scope.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of user-supplied input passed to OS command interpreters. The firmware concatenates request parameters into a command string rather than using parameterized execution APIs. This pattern, classified as [CWE-78], converts any input field reachable from the setting page into a command execution primitive.

Attack Vector

Exploitation proceeds over the network against the device's HTTP or HTTPS management interface. The attacker first authenticates using captured, default, or weak credentials. They then submit a crafted POST or GET request to a vulnerable parameter on the setting page, appending shell metacharacters and the desired command. The injected payload executes on the device, allowing the attacker to read configuration, drop persistent backdoors, modify firewall rules, or pivot into adjacent network segments.

No verified public proof-of-concept code is available at this time. Refer to the JVN advisory for vendor-coordinated technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-25053

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected outbound connections originating from the access point's management IP address
HTTP requests to setting-page endpoints containing shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &, $(), or backticks
New or modified accounts, SSH keys, or startup scripts on the device after configuration changes
Authentication logs showing administrator logins from unusual source IPs or at unusual times

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server and reverse proxy logs in front of the device for parameter values containing command separators
Alert on configuration changes to the access point that occur outside approved change windows
Correlate administrator authentication events with subsequent outbound traffic from the device

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward access point syslog and authentication events to a centralized log platform for retention and analysis
Baseline normal management traffic patterns and flag deviations such as scripted POSTs to setting endpoints
Monitor for new listening services or reverse shells originating from the access point's IP

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-25053

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict access to the WEB UI to a dedicated management VLAN or jump host; block management ports from user and guest networks
Replace default and shared administrator credentials with unique, strong passwords stored in a password manager
Audit existing administrator accounts and remove any that are unused or unattributed
Apply the firmware update referenced in the Inaba security advisory as soon as it is validated in a test environment

Patch Information

Inaba has published guidance and fixed firmware through the vendor advisory. Administrators should identify the exact AC-WPS-11ac model and revision in their inventory and apply the corresponding firmware release. The JVN coordination entry lists affected models and fix availability.

Workarounds

Place affected devices behind a firewall that permits the WEB UI only from a restricted set of administrator source addresses
Disable remote management over WAN interfaces and require on-site or VPN-only access for configuration
Rotate administrator credentials and enforce multi-factor authentication on the upstream VPN or jump host used to reach the device

bash

# Configuration example: restrict management access with iptables on an upstream gateway
iptables -A FORWARD -p tcp -s 10.10.20.0/24 -d 192.0.2.10 --dport 443 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A FORWARD -p tcp -d 192.0.2.10 --dport 443 -j DROP
iptables -A FORWARD -p tcp -d 192.0.2.10 --dport 80  -j DROP