W12: Use of Hard-coded Credentials
CVE-2025-9778 is a high-severity use of hard-coded credentials vulnerability in W12 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 W12 versions: 1.0.0.1(5411); 1.0.0.5(9419); 2.0.0.3(8326), and others listed below. 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.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of W12 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 | W12 | 1.0.0.1(5411); 1.0.0.5(9419); 2.0.0.3(8326); 2.0.0.6(10720); 3.0.0.5(3644); 3.0.0.6(3948) | Not stated |
| Tenda | W12 Firmware | 3.0.0.6\(3948\) | 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 | 0.9 | Low | CNA (vuldb.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 1.9 | Low | CNA (vuldb.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.0 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 0.8 | Low | CNA (vuldb.com) |
Official description
A security vulnerability has been detected in Tenda W12 up to 3.0.0.6(3948). Affected is an unknown function of the file /etc_ro/shadow of the component Administrative Interface. The manipulation leads to hard-coded credentials. An attack has to be approached locally. The complexity of an attack is rather high. The exploitability is told to be difficult. The exploit has been disclosed publicly and may be used.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use of Hard-coded Credentials
The product contains hard-coded credentials, such as a password or cryptographic key.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For outbound authentication: store passwords, keys, and other credentials 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. In Windows environments, the Encrypted File System (EFS) may provide some protection.
- For inbound authentication: Rather than hard-code a default username and password, key, or other authentication credentials for first time logins, utilize a first login mode that requires the user to enter a unique strong password or key.
- If the product must contain hard-coded credentials or they cannot be removed, perform access control checks and limit which entities can access the feature that requires the hard-coded credentials. For example, a feature might only be enabled through the system console instead of through a network connection.
More Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerabilities (CWE-798)
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.322080Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- vuldb.com/?submit.640969Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
Other references
- github.com/August829/Yu/blob/main/58ead8e7e08bfb0e8.mdNot Applicable
- github.com/August829/Yu/blob/main/58ead8e7e08bfb0e8.md#steps-to-reproduceNot Applicable
- vuldb.com/?ctiid.322080Permissions Required, VDB Entry
- tenda.com.cn/Product
Other vulnerabilities in W12
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
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