AC18: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-82695 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in AC18 from Tenda, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 10.0 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected AC18 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 1.41% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 73% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of AC18 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
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- 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:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (vuldb.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 9.3 | Critical | CNA (vuldb.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 10.0 | Critical | CNA (vuldb.com) |
| CVSS 2.0 | 10.0 | High | CNA (vuldb.com) |
Official description
A security flaw has been discovered in Tenda AC18 15.03.05.19. Impacted is an unknown function of the file /goform/telnet of the component Telnet Handler. The manipulation results in missing authentication. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been released to the public and may be used for attacks.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in AC18
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 7.3 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.