CVE-2026-49007: Device Firmware Information Disclosure

CVE-2026-49007 Overview

CVE-2026-49007 is a hardcoded credentials vulnerability affecting ZTE device firmware. Attackers can extract unencrypted information from the firmware to obtain the initial login credentials for the device's web interface. The flaw is categorized under [CWE-798] (Use of Hard-coded Credentials) and is exploitable over the network without authentication or user interaction. Successful exploitation grants unauthorized access to the administrative web interface, exposing device configuration and sensitive information. The vendor published a support bulletin acknowledging the issue.

Critical Impact
Remote, unauthenticated attackers can recover default web interface credentials from firmware and access the device management console.

Affected Products

ZTE devices with the affected firmware (see vendor bulletin for specific models and versions)
Web management interface exposed on affected devices
Deployments relying on factory-default or initial credentials

Discovery Timeline

2026-08-07 - CVE-2026-49007 published to NVD
2026-08-07 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-49007

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability arises because initial login credentials for the web interface are stored in the device firmware without encryption. An attacker who obtains a firmware image, either from public vendor downloads or by extracting it from a physical device, can locate the credentials using standard binary analysis tools.

The issue affects confidentiality directly. An attacker holding valid credentials can authenticate to the web management interface remotely over the network. From there, the attacker can view configuration data, modify network settings, or pivot into internal networks reachable by the device.

The EPSS probability at publication was 0.345%, reflecting limited public exploit tooling. Hardcoded credential issues nonetheless attract sustained interest from botnet operators targeting embedded network equipment.

Root Cause

The root cause is the presence of unencrypted credential material within the firmware image. Firmware bundles for embedded devices are frequently distributed as compressed archives or squashfs images. When credentials are stored in plaintext configuration files or embedded strings, any party with read access to the image can recover them.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and requires no privileges or user interaction. An attacker performs offline firmware analysis to extract credentials, then authenticates to the target device's web interface over HTTP or HTTPS. The vulnerability does not require the attacker to be adjacent to the target during exploitation.

Refer to the ZTE Support Bulletin for vendor-provided technical details and affected firmware versions.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-49007

Indicators of Compromise

Successful web interface logins from unexpected external IP addresses, particularly using default or initial account names
Configuration changes to the device made outside normal maintenance windows
New administrator accounts, altered DNS settings, or unexpected firmware updates on affected devices

Detection Strategies

Audit authentication logs on ZTE devices for logins that reference the initial or factory account
Baseline the set of source IPs that authenticate to management interfaces and alert on deviations
Inspect firmware images in use against vendor-provided hashes to confirm patched versions are deployed

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward device authentication and configuration change logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation
Alert on management interface access originating from the internet or untrusted network segments
Monitor for outbound connections from the device to unknown hosts, which may indicate post-exploitation activity

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-49007

Immediate Actions Required

Change the initial web interface credentials on every affected device immediately after deployment
Restrict access to the device management interface to trusted management networks only
Review the ZTE Support Bulletin and apply firmware updates for affected models

Patch Information

ZTE has published a support bulletin for CVE-2026-49007. Administrators should consult the vendor advisory to identify affected models and firmware versions and apply the corresponding updates. Patched firmware is expected to remove or protect the embedded credential material.

Workarounds

Disable remote management on WAN interfaces and permit access only from a management VLAN
Place affected devices behind a firewall that blocks inbound traffic to management ports
Enforce strong, unique administrator passwords and, where supported, enable multi-factor authentication
Rotate credentials on all devices sharing the same firmware image, since the extracted credentials may be common across the product line

bash

# Configuration example: restrict management interface access with iptables
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.0.0.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP