External risk intelligence

Tenda AC15 Router Command Execution Vulnerability.

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2020-10987

A vulnerability in certain Tenda router firmware allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands. This poses a risk to affected organizations by potentially compromising devices and data, as the vulnerability allows for unauthenticated remote command execution. The flaw is listed on the Known Exploited Vul

5Halo Surface Signal

OS Command Injection

Tenda Ac15 Firmware

15.03.05.19

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2020-10987

This vulnerability affects a consumer router, a device class designed to act as an internet gateway. The affected endpoint is part of the management interface, which is commonly exposed to the network, and the vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote command execution, making it a highly accessible and reachable attack surface in normal deployment scenarios.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

This vulnerability affects certain Tenda router firmware. The flaw allows attackers to execute unauthorized system commands remotely by manipulating a specific parameter within the device's management interface. This could lead to significant business risks if sensitive data or critical systems are compromised.

Vulnerable Tenda router firmware
Remote command execution
Compromise of devices and data

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

This vulnerability in certain Tenda routers allows an attacker to execute commands on the device. The attack targets a specific management endpoint that is exposed externally. By sending a crafted request, an attacker can trick the device into running arbitrary system commands. This could lead to unauthorized access and control over the affected network device.

External network exposure.
Unauthenticated network access.
Command execution via POST parameter.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations utilizing Tenda AC15 routers. Attackers can remotely execute arbitrary system commands without authentication, potentially leading to complete compromise of the affected devices. The ease of exploitation and the critical severity underscore the need for immediate attention.

Attacker skill level: Low
Required access or conditions: Network access
Business risk or urgency: Critical

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability allows attackers to execute system commands on affected devices. Organizations should prioritize identifying and securing any exposed assets utilizing the affected firmware. The vulnerability has a critical severity score and is listed on the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, indicating a high risk to affected organizations.

Find affected devices.
Reduce exposure or isolate risk.
Apply vendor fix, verify, and monitor.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Tenda AC15 AC1900 firmware vulnerability CVE-2020-10987?

CVE-2020-10987 is a critical vulnerability in Tenda AC15 AC1900 firmware version 15.03.05.19. It allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands through the goform/setUsbUnload endpoint by providing a malicious value in the deviceName POST parameter. This weakness is classified as CWE-78, which relates to OS command injection.

How can an attacker exploit the Tenda AC15 command execution flaw?

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted POST request to the goform/setUsbUnload endpoint. The request must include a malicious value in the 'deviceName' parameter. This allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands without any authentication, exploiting the network attack vector and low complexity of the attack.

What is the potential impact of exploiting CVE-2020-10987?

Exploiting CVE-2020-10987 can lead to the execution of arbitrary system commands on the affected Tenda AC15 router. This critical severity vulnerability, with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8, poses a significant risk as it could allow attackers to gain complete control of the device, potentially leading to data compromise or further network intrusion.

Why is the Halo Surface Signal rating 'Very likely' for CVE-2020-10987?

Halo Surface Signal rates this vulnerability as 'Very likely' because it affects a consumer router, a device typically exposed to the internet and often used as a network gateway. The vulnerability resides in the management interface, is exploitable remotely and without authentication, and allows for command execution, making it a highly accessible and impactful threat in typical deployment scenarios.

What steps should be taken to address the Tenda AC15 command injection vulnerability?

To address this vulnerability, organizations must first identify all affected Tenda AC15 devices running the vulnerable firmware. It is crucial to reduce exposure or isolate these devices from the network. Applying vendor-provided fixes, verifying their implementation, and continuously monitoring the devices are essential remediation steps to mitigate the risk.

References

Written by Nicholas Merritt

External-surface CVE analysis and Halo Surface Signal prioritization for Halo Threat Intelligence.