CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2025-9731NVD status: Analyzed

AC9: Use of Hard-coded Password

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2025-9731 is a high-severity use of hard-coded password vulnerability in AC9 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 AC9 versions: 15.03.05.19. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.15% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of AC9 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
TendaAC915.03.05.19Not stated
TendaAc9 Firmware15.03.05.19Not 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 systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 4.01.1LowCNA (vuldb.com)
CVSS 3.12.5LowCNA (vuldb.com)
CVSS 3.17.0HighNVD
CVSS 2.01.0LowCNA (vuldb.com)

Official description

A vulnerability was determined in Tenda AC9 15.03.05.19. The impacted element is an unknown function of the file /etc_ro/shadow of the component Administrative Interface. This manipulation causes hard-coded credentials. It is possible to launch the attack on the local host. The attack's complexity is rated as high. The exploitability is regarded as difficult. The exploit has been publicly disclosed and may be utilized.

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.

More Use of Hard-coded Password vulnerabilities (CWE-259)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Other references

Other vulnerabilities in AC9

All AC9 vulnerabilities

Recent Use of Hard-coded Password vulnerabilities

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