CVE-2024-52788
📋 TL;DR
Tenda W9 routers version 1.0.0.7(4456) contain a hardcoded root password in the /etc_ro/shadow file, allowing attackers to gain administrative access. This affects all users of this specific router model and firmware version. Attackers can fully compromise the device once they obtain the hardcoded credentials.
💻 Affected Systems
- Tenda W9
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete router takeover allowing traffic interception, DNS hijacking, malware deployment to connected devices, and persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Unauthorized administrative access leading to network surveillance, credential theft from connected devices, and router configuration changes.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if router is behind firewall with strict inbound rules and no exposed administrative interfaces.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires network access to the router's administrative interface and knowledge of the hardcoded password.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Unknown
Vendor Advisory: Not available
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Check Tenda website for firmware updates. 2. Download latest firmware. 3. Log into router admin panel. 4. Navigate to System Tools > Firmware Upgrade. 5. Upload and install new firmware.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Change root password
linuxManually change the root password via SSH or telnet if enabled
passwd root
Disable remote administration
allTurn off remote management in router settings
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate router on separate VLAN with strict firewall rules
- Disable all unnecessary services (SSH, telnet, UPnP)
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
SSH into router and check /etc_ro/shadow file for hardcoded password entriesCheck Version:
cat /proc/version | grep -i tendaVerify Fix Applied:
Verify shadow file no longer contains hardcoded passwords and test authentication with old credentials fails📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Failed authentication attempts followed by successful root login
- Unusual SSH/telnet connections from unexpected sources
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected outbound connections from router
- DNS queries to suspicious domains
SIEM Query:
source="router.log" ("authentication failed" AND "root" AND "success")