CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-21833NVD status: Modified

Archer AX3000: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2024-21833 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command vulnerability in Archer AX3000 from TP-Link, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version ax3000(jp)_v1_1.1.2_build 20231115" as the first without the flaw, so updating Archer AX3000 to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.06% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 65% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Archer AX3000 to ax3000(jp)_v1_1.1.2_build 20231115" or a later version.
  2. Update Archer AX5400 to ax5400(jp)_v1_1.1.2_build_20231115 or a later version.
  3. Update Archer AXE75 to axe75(jp)_ v1_231115 or a later version.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
TP-LinkArcher AX30001.0 up to, but not including, ax3000(jp)_v1_1.1.2_build 20231115"ax3000(jp)_v1_1.1.2_build 20231115"
TP-LinkArcher AX5400before ax5400(jp)_v1_1.1.2_build_20231115ax5400(jp)_v1_1.1.2_build_20231115
TP-LinkArcher AXE75firmware versions prior to "Archer AXE75(JP)_V1_231115"; before axe75(jp)_ v1_231115axe75(jp)_ v1_231115
TP-LinkDeco X50before deco_x50(jp)_V1_1.4.1_build 20231122"deco_x50(jp)_V1_1.4.1_build 20231122"
TP-LinkDeco XE200before deco_xe200(jp)_v1_1.2.5_build 20231120"deco_xe200(jp)_v1_1.2.5_build 20231120"
TP-LinkArcher Ax3000 Firmwarebefore 1.1.21.1.2
TP-LinkArcher Ax5400 Firmwarebefore 1.1.21.1.2
TP-LinkDeco X50 Firmwarebefore 1.4.11.4.1
TP-LinkDeco Xe200 Firmwarebefore 1.2.51.2.5
TP-LinkArcher Axe75 Firmwarebefore 1.1.91.1.9

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
AdjacentThe attacker must be on the same local network segment.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.18.8HighNVD
CVSS 3.18.8HighCISA (ADP)

Official description

Multiple TP-LINK products allow a network-adjacent unauthenticated attacker with access to the product to execute arbitrary OS commands. The affected device, with the initial configuration, allows login only from the LAN port or Wi-Fi.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command

The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command before it is sent to a downstream component.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
  • For any data that will be used to generate a command to be executed, keep as much of that data out of external control as possible. For example, in web applications, this may require storing the data locally in the session's state instead of sending it out to the client in a hidden form field.
  • For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.

More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command vulnerabilities (CWE-78)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Other vulnerabilities in Archer AX3000

All Archer AX3000 vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command vulnerabilities

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