GL-MT3000: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component
CVE-2026-11451 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component vulnerability in GL-MT3000 from GL.iNet, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.3 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected GL-MT3000 versions: 4.4.5. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 2.23% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 83% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of GL-MT3000 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
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
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- 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
- LowSome restricted data can be read.
- Integrity
- LowLimited modification of data is possible.
- Availability
- LowPerformance or availability is reduced.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L. Scored by CNA (vuldb.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 6.9 | Medium | CNA (vuldb.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.3 | High | CNA (vuldb.com) |
| CVSS 2.0 | 7.5 | High | CNA (vuldb.com) |
Official description
A flaw has been found in GL.iNet GL-MT3000 4.4.5. This impacts the function snprintf of the file /cgi-bin/glc of the component FTP Protocol Handler. Executing a manipulation of the argument media_dir can lead to command injection. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. Upgrading to version 4.8.1 will fix this issue. You should upgrade the affected component. The vendor explains: "In version 4.8.1, before writing media_dir to the FTP configuration command, the code escapes single quotes using escape_single_quote(). The payloads in the report—which rely on closing a single quote, appending commands with a semicolon, and commenting out the tail with #—cannot escape execution under the current code path. We also verified this on a GL‑MT3000 device running firmware version 4.8.1 using similar payloads calling the /NAS_API_SET_PROTO_CONFIG interface. Although the interface returned success, the marker file intended to prove command execution was not created; the payload was written into /etc/vsftpd.conf only as ordinary configuration content and did not trigger any shell command execution. Therefore, with the current firmware version and default runtime environment, we could not reproduce the claimed “unauthorized command injection in set_proto_config”."
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component
The product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Programming languages and supporting technologies might be chosen which are not subject to these issues.
- Utilize an appropriate mix of allowlist and denylist parsing to filter control-plane syntax from all input.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in GL-MT3000
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component vulnerabilities
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
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