CVE-2026-8264 Overview
CVE-2026-8264 is an OS command injection vulnerability affecting Tenda AC6 routers running firmware version 15.03.06.23. The flaw resides in the formWifiApScan function within /goform/WifiApScan, handled by the httpd component. Attackers can manipulate the wl2g.public.country or wl5g.public.country parameters to inject operating system commands. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network and requires only low privileges. A public exploit description has been disclosed, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic abuse against exposed devices. The weakness is tracked under CWE-77 and CWE-78.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers with low privileges can execute arbitrary operating system commands on affected Tenda AC6 routers by manipulating country parameters in WiFi scan requests.
Affected Products
- Tenda AC6 firmware version 15.03.06.23
- Tenda AC6 hardware version 2.0
- httpd component handling /goform/WifiApScan
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-05-11 - CVE-2026-8264 published to NVD
- 2026-05-11 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-8264
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability exists in the formWifiApScan handler exposed by the httpd web service on the Tenda AC6 router. When clients submit a WiFi access point scan request to /goform/WifiApScan, the handler reads attacker-controlled values from the wl2g.public.country and wl5g.public.country parameters. These values are concatenated into a shell command string and passed to an OS command interpreter without sanitization or argument escaping.
Because the embedded web server typically runs with elevated privileges on consumer routers, successful injection allows command execution in the router's operating environment. The attack vector is network-based and the exploit description has been published on third-party sources including GitHub PoC Repository and VulDB #362561.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command [CWE-78]. The formWifiApScan function fails to validate or sanitize the country parameters before passing them to a system shell. Shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &, and backticks are preserved, enabling command chaining and substitution.
Attack Vector
An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to /goform/WifiApScan containing malicious payloads in either the wl2g.public.country or wl5g.public.country argument. The injected commands execute within the context of the router's httpd process. The attack requires low-privilege authentication but no user interaction, and can be launched remotely against any reachable management interface.
The vulnerability manifests when shell metacharacters appended to the country parameter break out of the intended command context. See the GitHub PoC writeup for technical reproduction details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-8264
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP POST requests to /goform/WifiApScan containing shell metacharacters (;, |, &, `, $()) in the wl2g.public.country or wl5g.public.country parameters
- Unexpected outbound network connections originating from the router management plane
- Modification of router configuration files or persistence artifacts in firmware-writable partitions
- Unusual child processes spawned by the httpd service
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs on the router for requests to /goform/WifiApScan with abnormal payload lengths or non-ISO country code values
- Deploy network IDS signatures matching command injection patterns in HTTP request bodies targeting Tenda goform endpoints
- Monitor for HTTP requests to the router admin interface from untrusted network segments
Monitoring Recommendations
- Capture and centralize syslog output from Tenda devices where supported, and alert on httpd crashes or restarts
- Baseline normal router administrative traffic and flag deviations in request volume or source IPs
- Periodically audit firmware versions across deployed Tenda AC6 units to identify devices running 15.03.06.23
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-8264
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict access to the router web management interface to trusted LAN segments only and disable WAN-side administration
- Change default and weak administrative credentials, since exploitation requires authentication
- Isolate vulnerable Tenda AC6 routers on segmented network zones until a vendor fix is available
- Monitor traffic to /goform/WifiApScan for anomalous parameter values
Patch Information
No vendor advisory or firmware patch has been published by Tenda at the time of CVE assignment. Consult the Tenda Official Website for firmware updates and security bulletins. Affected operators should subscribe to vendor notifications and apply updates as soon as they become available.
Workarounds
- Disable remote management on the WAN interface to prevent internet-facing exploitation
- Block external access to TCP ports used by the router httpd service at the upstream firewall
- Replace end-of-support Tenda AC6 units with actively maintained hardware if no patch is released
- Enforce strong, unique administrator passwords to raise the bar for the low-privilege precondition
# Example upstream firewall rule to block WAN-side access to router admin interface
iptables -A FORWARD -i wan0 -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP
iptables -A FORWARD -i wan0 -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
