AC10: Use of Hard-coded Password
CVE-2025-9309 is a high-severity use of hard-coded password vulnerability in AC10 from Tenda, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.0 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected AC10 versions: 16.03.10.13. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.24% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of AC10 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenda | AC10 | 16.03.10.13 | Not stated |
| Tenda | Ac10 Firmware | 16.03.10.13 | Not stated |
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
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- 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:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 1.1 | Low | CNA (vuldb.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 2.5 | Low | CNA (vuldb.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.0 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 1.0 | Low | CNA (vuldb.com) |
Official description
A vulnerability was found in Tenda AC10 16.03.10.13. Affected is an unknown function of the file /etc_ro/shadow of the component MD5 Hash Handler. Performing manipulation results in hard-coded credentials. The attack needs to be approached locally. A high degree of complexity is needed for the attack. The exploitability is told to be difficult. The exploit has been made public and could be used.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use of Hard-coded Password
The product contains a hard-coded password, which it uses for its own inbound authentication or for outbound authentication to external components.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For outbound authentication: store passwords outside of the code in a strongly-protected, encrypted configuration file or database that is protected from access by all outsiders, including other local users on the same system. Properly protect the key (CWE-320). If you cannot use encryption to protect the file, then make sure that the permissions are as restrictive as possible.
- For inbound authentication: Rather than hard-code a default username and password for first time logins, utilize a first login mode that requires the user to enter a unique strong password.
- Perform access control checks and limit which entities can access the feature that requires the hard-coded password. For example, a feature might only be enabled through the system console instead of through a network connection.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- vuldb.com/?id.320914Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- vuldb.com/?submit.633585Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- github.com/XXRicardo/iot-cve/blob/main/Tenda/AC10/V4.0si_V16.03.10.13.mdExploit, Third Party Advisory
- github.com/XXRicardo/iot-cve/blob/main/Tenda/AC10/V4.0si_V16.03.10.13.md#steps-to-reproduceExploit, Third Party Advisory
Other references
- vuldb.com/?ctiid.320914Permissions Required, VDB Entry
- tenda.com.cn/Product
Other vulnerabilities in AC10
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Use of Hard-coded Password vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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