CVE-2024-48192
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to gain root access to Tenda G3 routers using a hardcoded password stored in the /etc_ro/shadow file. Anyone using affected Tenda G3 router versions is vulnerable to complete device compromise. Attackers can bypass authentication entirely using this known credential.
💻 Affected Systems
- Tenda G3
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete router takeover allowing traffic interception, malware deployment, network pivoting, and persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Unauthorized root access leading to network reconnaissance, credential theft, and router configuration changes.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if routers are behind firewalls with strict network segmentation and access controls.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires network access to the router's management interface and knowledge of the hardcoded password.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Unknown
Vendor Advisory: None found
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check Tenda website for firmware updates
2. Download latest firmware for G3 model
3. Upload via router web interface
4. Reboot router after update
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Change root password
linuxManually change the root password to remove the hardcoded credential
passwd root
Disable remote management
allTurn off WAN access to router administration interface
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected routers in separate VLAN with strict firewall rules
- Implement network monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to router management interfaces
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check /etc_ro/shadow file for hardcoded password or attempt SSH login with known hardcoded credentialsCheck Version:
cat /proc/version | grep G3Verify Fix Applied:
Verify new firmware version and test that hardcoded password no longer works📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Failed authentication attempts followed by successful root login
- SSH connections from unexpected IP addresses
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns from router
- Unexpected outbound connections from router
SIEM Query:
source="router.log" ("authentication failed" AND "root" AND "success")