CVE-2026-94096 Overview
CVE-2026-94096 is a command injection vulnerability [CWE-74] in the Netcore NBR200V2 router running firmware version 1.3.241127.071246. The flaw resides in the /usr/bin/network_tools binary, specifically within the LAN IP Configuration Handler component. Attackers can manipulate the ipv4 argument to inject and execute arbitrary operating system commands. The attack is exploitable over the network and requires only low-privileged access. A public exploit exists, and the vendor did not respond to disclosure attempts.
Critical Impact
Authenticated remote attackers can execute arbitrary commands on the router with the privileges of the network_tools binary, resulting in full device compromise and potential pivoting into the LAN.
Affected Products
- Netcore NBR200V2 router
- Firmware version 1.3.241127.071246
- Component: /usr/bin/network_tools LAN IP Configuration Handler
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-09-21 - CVE-2026-94096 published to NVD
- 2026-09-21 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-94096
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability exists in the LAN IP configuration workflow handled by the /usr/bin/network_tools binary on the Netcore NBR200V2 router. The handler accepts an ipv4 argument supplied through the LAN configuration interface and passes it to a shell context without proper sanitization. An attacker who can reach the router's administrative interface can embed shell metacharacters within the ipv4 value to break out of the intended command context.
The result is arbitrary command execution on the underlying embedded Linux system. Because network appliances typically run privileged services under a single process context, successful exploitation exposes routing configuration, credentials, and any traffic traversing the device.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in a downstream command, classified as [CWE-74]. The network_tools binary constructs a shell command that concatenates the attacker-controlled ipv4 parameter without validation or safe API usage. Any shell metacharacter such as ;, |, &&, or backticks is interpreted by the shell rather than treated as literal input.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the router's management interface and low-privileged credentials. An attacker submits a crafted LAN IP configuration request in which the ipv4 field contains shell metacharacters followed by an injected command. When the handler invokes the shell, the injected payload executes with the privileges of the network_tools process.
No verified proof-of-concept code has been released for reproduction here. Technical details are documented in the VulDB CVE-2026-94096 entry and the Notion vulnerability report.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-94096
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by /usr/bin/network_tools, such as /bin/sh, wget, curl, or busybox invocations following LAN configuration changes.
- LAN configuration requests containing shell metacharacters (;, |, `, $(), &&) in the ipv4 parameter.
- Outbound connections from the router to unfamiliar hosts shortly after administrative configuration events.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect HTTP requests to the router administration interface for anomalous ipv4 payloads that deviate from valid IPv4 dotted-quad syntax.
- Correlate authentication events with subsequent LAN configuration changes to identify low-privileged accounts abusing the handler.
- Enable syslog forwarding from the router and monitor for command execution artifacts on the embedded shell.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward router administrative logs to a centralized SIEM or data lake for retention and analysis.
- Alert on any modification to LAN IP configuration outside of change-management windows.
- Baseline normal outbound connections from the router and alert on deviations, such as connections to public IP ranges from the management plane.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-94096
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict access to the router's administrative interface to a trusted management VLAN or specific source IP addresses.
- Rotate all administrative credentials on affected devices, especially low-privileged accounts that could reach the LAN configuration handler.
- Segment the affected router from sensitive network zones until a vendor patch is available.
Patch Information
No vendor patch has been published. According to the disclosure, the vendor was contacted but did not respond. Organizations operating Netcore NBR200V2 devices on firmware 1.3.241127.071246 should treat the device as unpatched and consider replacement with a supported platform if administrative exposure cannot be eliminated.
Workarounds
- Disable remote management on the WAN interface and block administrative ports at the perimeter.
- Place the device behind a firewall that enforces strict source-based access control lists for management traffic.
- Monitor LAN configuration endpoints and drop requests where the ipv4 field does not match a strict dotted-quad regular expression.
- Where feasible, replace the affected router with a device from a vendor providing active security maintenance.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.