CVE-2026-83524: RedPort Optimizer Command Injection RCE

CVE-2026-83524 Overview

CVE-2026-83524 is a command injection vulnerability affecting RedPort Optimizer wXa-203, wXa-213, and wXa-223 devices up to firmware version 20260704. The flaw resides in the exec function within /xgatev1/system/datetime.php, part of the System Clock component. Attackers with low-level privileges can inject operating system commands remotely over the network. The exploit has been publicly disclosed, and the vendor did not respond to disclosure attempts. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component).

Critical Impact

Remote authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary operating system commands on affected RedPort Optimizer appliances, leading to full device compromise and pivot opportunities into connected networks.

Affected Products

• RedPort Optimizer wXa-203 (firmware up to 20260704)
• RedPort Optimizer wXa-213 (firmware up to 20260704)
• RedPort Optimizer wXa-223 (firmware up to 20260704)

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-08-31 - CVE-2026-83524 published to NVD
• 2026-09-01 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-83524

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists in the System Clock handler at /xgatev1/system/datetime.php. The exec function processes user-controllable input without adequate neutralization of shell metacharacters. An attacker submitting crafted values in datetime-related parameters can break out of the intended command context and append arbitrary shell commands. Executed commands run in the context of the web service on the appliance, providing an initial foothold on the device.

The attack requires network access to the management interface and low privileges on the target device. No user interaction is required. Because the RedPort Optimizer is a network appliance that routes traffic between local networks and satellite or cellular links, compromise of the device exposes downstream clients and traffic flows.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements passed to a downstream command interpreter, as classified by CWE-74. The datetime.php script forwards attacker-supplied parameters into a system command invocation without sanitization, escaping, or parameterization. Shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &, and backticks are interpreted by the underlying shell rather than treated as literal data.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based against the appliance's web management interface. An authenticated user with low-privilege access to the /xgatev1/system/datetime.php endpoint submits a manipulated request containing shell metacharacters in a datetime field. The injected payload executes on the operating system with the privileges of the web service. Public disclosure of the exploit lowers the barrier for opportunistic exploitation, particularly against internet-exposed management interfaces.

No verified public proof-of-concept code is included in this advisory. Technical details are available through the VulDB Vulnerability Report and the Feishu Document referenced by NVD.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-83524

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected HTTP POST requests to /xgatev1/system/datetime.php containing shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &, $(, or backticks in datetime parameters.
• Web server or CGI processes on the appliance spawning child processes such as sh, wget, curl, nc, or busybox outside of normal administrative workflows.
• Outbound connections from the appliance to unknown external hosts shortly after configuration changes to the system clock.
• New or modified files in web-accessible directories on the appliance following access to the datetime configuration page.

Detection Strategies

• Inspect web access logs on the appliance for requests to /xgatev1/system/datetime.php with anomalous payload structures or non-standard characters.
• Correlate authentication events on the management interface with subsequent process execution or outbound network activity.
• Deploy network intrusion detection signatures that flag HTTP request bodies targeting the datetime endpoint with shell metacharacters.

Monitoring Recommendations

• Forward appliance syslog and web server logs to a centralized logging platform for retention and analysis.
• Alert on any administrative access to the RedPort Optimizer management interface originating from untrusted networks or non-administrative source IPs.
• Monitor egress traffic from the appliance segment for unusual protocols, destinations, or data volumes.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-83524

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict access to the RedPort Optimizer management interface to trusted administrative networks using firewall or ACL controls.
• Rotate credentials for all accounts on affected wXa-203, wXa-213, and wXa-223 devices, especially any low-privilege accounts that could reach the datetime endpoint.
• Audit recent access logs for /xgatev1/system/datetime.php and investigate any suspicious activity.
• Disable remote administrative access over untrusted networks until a vendor patch is available.

Patch Information

At the time of publication, no vendor patch is available. The VulDB report notes that the vendor was contacted about this disclosure but did not respond. Organizations should track the vendor's advisory channels for firmware updates addressing the System Clock component in /xgatev1/system/datetime.php.

Workarounds

• Place the appliance's management interface behind a VPN or jump host, blocking direct network exposure to untrusted zones.
• Enforce network segmentation so that only designated administrator workstations can reach the appliance's HTTP management service.
• Revoke or minimize accounts with access to system configuration pages; apply least-privilege principles to remaining accounts.
• Consider deploying a reverse proxy with a web application firewall that blocks requests containing shell metacharacters targeting /xgatev1/system/.

# Example iptables rule restricting management access to a trusted subnet
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.0.0.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP