CVE-2025-3541: H3C Magic Router Command Injection RCE Flaw

CVE-2025-3541 Overview

CVE-2025-3541 is a command injection vulnerability affecting H3C Magic NX15, Magic NX30 Pro, Magic NX400, and Magic R3010 routers up to firmware version V100R014. The flaw resides in the FCGI_WizardProtoProcess function handling requests to /api/wizard/getSpecs within the HTTP POST request handler. Attackers on the adjacent network can inject arbitrary operating system commands through manipulated request parameters. The exploit has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of opportunistic use against exposed devices. H3C recommends upgrading the affected firmware to remediate the issue.

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers on the local network can execute arbitrary commands on the router with elevated privileges, resulting in full device compromise.

Affected Products

H3C Magic NX15 (up to V100R014)
H3C Magic NX30 Pro (up to V100R014)
H3C Magic NX400 and Magic R3010 (up to V100R014)

Discovery Timeline

2025-04-13 - CVE-2025-3541 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-3541

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-74] as improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component (injection). The FCGI_WizardProtoProcess function processes HTTP POST requests directed to the /api/wizard/getSpecs endpoint. User-controlled input is passed to a shell or command interpreter without adequate sanitization. Attackers can append shell metacharacters to legitimate parameters to execute arbitrary commands in the router's operating system context. Successful exploitation grants attackers the ability to modify router configuration, pivot into internal networks, or install persistent implants.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing input validation and neutralization in the FCGI_WizardProtoProcess handler. Parameters supplied through the wizard API are concatenated into system-level command strings executed by the underlying shell. Because no allowlist, escaping, or parameterized execution is applied, injected characters such as ;, |, or backticks alter the intended command flow. This is a common firmware pattern where CGI handlers wrap system() or equivalent calls around untrusted input.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires network access adjacent to the affected router, typically meaning the attacker must be on the same LAN or Wi-Fi segment. The attacker also needs low-privilege credentials, based on the CVSS vector indicating PR:L. Once positioned, the attacker sends a crafted HTTP POST request to /api/wizard/getSpecs containing malicious parameter values. The injected commands execute with the privileges of the web management daemon, which typically runs as root on consumer routers.

A public proof-of-concept is available in the GitHub PoC Repository, and additional analysis is tracked in VulDB #304580.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-3541

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP POST requests to /api/wizard/getSpecs containing shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &&, backticks, or $() in parameter values.
Unexpected outbound connections originating from the router management interface to unknown hosts.
New or modified files in writable firmware paths, or unexpected processes spawned by the web management daemon.
Router configuration changes, DNS setting modifications, or firmware alterations without administrator action.

Detection Strategies

Inspect router HTTP logs, when available, for POST requests to the /api/wizard/ path and correlate unusual parameter payloads with source IP addresses on the LAN.
Deploy network intrusion detection signatures matching command injection patterns in HTTP request bodies destined for management interfaces.
Baseline expected outbound traffic from the router and alert on deviations that may indicate a compromised device beaconing.

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor administrative traffic to router management endpoints and restrict it to trusted subnets and hosts.
Ingest router syslog and DHCP data into a centralized logging platform to correlate anomalies with endpoint activity.
Track firmware version inventory continuously to identify devices still running V100R014 or earlier releases.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-3541

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade affected H3C Magic NX15, NX30 Pro, NX400, and R3010 devices to firmware releases published after V100R014 via the H3C Software Download Page.
Rotate management credentials on all affected routers to invalidate any previously exposed low-privileged accounts.
Restrict access to the router web management interface to a dedicated management VLAN or trusted administrator hosts only.

Patch Information

H3C recommends upgrading to a fixed firmware release. Refer to the vendor advisory at H3C Theme Details and the H3C Software Download Page for the appropriate firmware image for each model.

Workarounds

Disable remote management on the WAN interface and confirm the setup wizard endpoints are not reachable from untrusted segments.
Segment guest and IoT networks from the router management VLAN so unauthenticated LAN users cannot reach the vulnerable endpoint.
Enforce strong, unique administrator credentials and disable default or shared accounts that could satisfy the low-privilege access requirement.

bash

# Example: block LAN clients from reaching the wizard endpoint at an upstream firewall
iptables -A FORWARD -p tcp -d <router_mgmt_ip> --dport 80 \
  -m string --string "/api/wizard/getSpecs" --algo bm -j DROP
iptables -A FORWARD -p tcp -d <router_mgmt_ip> --dport 443 \
  -m string --string "/api/wizard/getSpecs" --algo bm -j DROP