CVE-2025-46626 Overview
CVE-2025-46626 affects the Tenda RX2 Pro router running firmware version 16.03.30.14. The device reuses a static AES key and initialization vector (IV) for encrypted traffic sent to the ate management service. Because the same key and IV are hardcoded across deployments, attackers on the network path can decrypt captured ciphertext, replay prior commands, or forge new requests accepted by the service. The weakness is classified under CWE-326: Inadequate Encryption Strength.
Critical Impact
Attackers with network access can decrypt, replay, and forge management traffic to the Tenda RX2 Pro ate service, undermining confidentiality and integrity of router administration.
Affected Products
- Tenda RX2 Pro router (hardware)
- Tenda RX2 Pro firmware version 16.03.30.14
- Deployments exposing the ate management service on reachable network segments
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-05-01 - CVE-2025-46626 published to NVD
- 2025-05-27 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-46626
Vulnerability Analysis
The Tenda RX2 Pro firmware encrypts traffic to its ate management service using AES with a key and IV embedded in the firmware image. Every device of this model and firmware version derives the same cryptographic material. Static key and IV reuse violates fundamental requirements of symmetric encryption modes such as CBC, where IVs must be unique and unpredictable per message.
When an IV is reused with the same key, identical plaintext blocks produce identical ciphertext blocks. This leaks structural information and enables known-plaintext analysis. Attackers who recover the key from firmware extraction can fully decrypt captured sessions and craft valid ciphertext for arbitrary commands accepted by ate.
Root Cause
The root cause is hardcoded cryptographic material in the firmware binary. Tenda did not implement per-session key derivation, ephemeral key exchange, or random IV generation for the ate channel. Anyone able to obtain firmware version 16.03.30.14 can extract the key and IV through static analysis.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network reachability to the ate service and the ability to capture or inject traffic. An attacker on the same LAN, an upstream network device, or a position enabling man-in-the-middle interception can perform the attack. After deriving the static key and IV from a firmware sample, the attacker decrypts intercepted management traffic, replays previously observed commands, or forges new authenticated requests that the device processes as legitimate.
The vulnerability mechanism is described in the Uturn Blog Tenda RX2 Pro writeup, which documents related issues in the same firmware.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-46626
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected traffic to the Tenda ate management service from non-administrative hosts on the LAN.
- Repeated identical ciphertext payloads to the ate service, indicating replay activity.
- Configuration changes on the RX2 Pro that do not correspond to legitimate administrator sessions.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect router logs for ate service requests originating from unexpected source addresses or at unusual times.
- Baseline normal management traffic volume to the device and alert on deviations consistent with replay or injection.
- Use network sensors to flag plaintext anomalies once decryption keys are known to defenders for forensic review.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor LAN segments containing the RX2 Pro for ARP spoofing and other man-in-the-middle precursors.
- Forward router syslog data to a centralized SIEM for correlation with endpoint and identity telemetry.
- Track firmware versions across the fleet to identify devices still running the vulnerable 16.03.30.14 build.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-46626
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the ate management service using VLAN segmentation and firewall rules.
- Place the RX2 Pro management interface on a dedicated administrative network unreachable from user endpoints.
- Inventory all Tenda RX2 Pro devices and identify those running firmware 16.03.30.14.
Patch Information
No vendor advisory or fixed firmware release has been published in the referenced sources at the time of NVD publication. Monitor the Tenda official website for firmware updates that address static key reuse.
Workarounds
- Disable the ate management service if it is not required for normal operation.
- Block inbound connections to the ate service port at upstream firewalls and access switches.
- Replace affected devices with hardware that supports per-session key negotiation if patches remain unavailable.
# Example: restrict access to the ate management service on an upstream Linux gateway
# Replace ATE_PORT and MGMT_CIDR with the actual service port and admin subnet
iptables -A FORWARD -p tcp --dport ATE_PORT -s MGMT_CIDR -d 192.168.0.1 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A FORWARD -p tcp --dport ATE_PORT -d 192.168.0.1 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
