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Vulnerabilities

CVE-2023-1389

Critical 🇺🇸 CISA KEV ⚡ Exploit Available
TP-Link Archer AX21 Remote Code Execution via Command Injection
Published: May 1, 2023  ·  Source: CISA_KEV
CVSS v3
9.0
🔗 NVD Official
📄 Description (English)

TP-Link Archer AX-21 Command Injection Vulnerability — TP-Link Archer AX-21 contains a command injection vulnerability that allows for remote code execution.

🤖 AI Executive Summary

TP-Link Archer AX21 routers contain a critical command injection vulnerability (CVSS 9.0) enabling unauthenticated remote code execution. This affects a widely deployed consumer/SMB router model across Saudi Arabia. Exploitation is trivial with publicly available exploits, making immediate patching essential for all organizations using this device.

📄 Description (Arabic)

تعتبر ثغرة CVE-2023-1389 ثغرة حقن أوامر حرجة في جهاز التوجيه TP-Link Archer AX21 تسمح للمهاجمين بتنفيذ أوامر نظام عشوائية بدون الحاجة إلى مصادقة. يمكن للمهاجمين استغلال هذه الثغرة للوصول الكامل إلى الجهاز والتحكم به والوصول إلى البيانات الحساسة. الثغرة نشطة في الاستغلال وتؤثر على جميع أجهزة TP-Link Archer AX21 غير المحدثة. يجب تطبيق التصحيح الأمني الفوري لمنع الاستغلال.

🤖 ملخص تنفيذي (AI)

تحتوي أجهزة التوجيه TP-Link Archer AX21 على ثغرة حقن أوامر حرجة (CVSS 9.0) تسمح بتنفيذ أكواد بعيد دون مصادقة. يؤثر هذا على نموذج موجه استهلاكي/SMB منتشر على نطاق واسع في المملكة العربية السعودية. الاستغلال سهل جداً مع وجود استغلالات متاحة للعامة، مما يجعل التصحيح الفوري ضرورياً لجميع المنظمات التي تستخدم هذا الجهاز.

🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 21, 2026 07:54
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
High impact on Saudi SMBs, government agencies, and financial institutions using TP-Link Archer AX21 as network perimeter devices. Banking sector (SAMA-regulated) at risk if routers protect branch networks or remote access points. Telecom providers (STC, Mobily) and ISPs distributing these devices face widespread customer compromise. Government entities and critical infrastructure operators using these routers for network segmentation are vulnerable to lateral movement and data exfiltration. Healthcare facilities relying on these devices for network access face patient data exposure risks.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking and Financial Services Government and Public Administration Telecommunications Healthcare Energy and Utilities Small and Medium Businesses Education Retail
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
9.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all TP-Link Archer AX21 devices in your network using asset discovery tools
2. Isolate affected routers from critical systems if patching cannot be completed within 24 hours
3. Change default credentials on all devices immediately
4. Disable remote management features (UPnP, remote access) until patched

PATCHING:
1. Download latest firmware from TP-Link official support portal (verify digital signatures)
2. Apply firmware updates to all AX21 devices - prioritize devices protecting critical infrastructure
3. Verify patch installation by checking firmware version in device admin panel
4. Test network connectivity post-patch

COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if patching delayed):
1. Implement network segmentation - isolate router management interfaces
2. Deploy WAF/IPS rules blocking command injection payloads to router management ports
3. Monitor router logs for suspicious command patterns
4. Restrict WAN access to router management interfaces

DETECTION:
1. Monitor for HTTP POST requests to /cgi-bin/luci with shell metacharacters (|, ;, &, $, backticks)
2. Alert on unexpected process spawning from router processes
3. Track firmware version changes across all AX21 devices
4. Monitor for unauthorized SSH/Telnet access attempts
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع أجهزة TP-Link Archer AX21 في شبكتك باستخدام أدوات اكتشاف الأصول
2. عزل الأجهزة المتأثرة عن الأنظمة الحرجة إذا لم يتمكن التصحيح خلال 24 ساعة
3. تغيير بيانات الاعتماد الافتراضية على جميع الأجهزة فوراً
4. تعطيل ميزات الإدارة البعيدة (UPnP، الوصول البعيد) حتى يتم التصحيح

التصحيح:
1. تحميل أحدث البرامج الثابتة من بوابة دعم TP-Link الرسمية (التحقق من التوقيعات الرقمية)
2. تطبيق تحديثات البرامج الثابتة على جميع أجهزة AX21 - إعطاء الأولوية للأجهزة التي تحمي البنية التحتية الحرجة
3. التحقق من تثبيت التصحيح بفحص إصدار البرنامج الثابت في لوحة إدارة الجهاز
4. اختبار اتصال الشبكة بعد التصحيح

الضوابط البديلة (إذا تأخر التصحيح):
1. تنفيذ تقسيم الشبكة - عزل واجهات إدارة الموجه
2. نشر قواعد WAF/IPS لحجب حمولات حقن الأوامر على منافذ إدارة الموجه
3. مراقبة سجلات الموجه للأنماط المريبة
4. تقييد وصول WAN إلى واجهات إدارة الموجه

الكشف:
1. مراقبة طلبات HTTP POST إلى /cgi-bin/luci بأحرف shell (|، ;، &، $، علامات الاقتباس العكسية)
2. تنبيه عند توليد عمليات غير متوقعة من عمليات الموجه
3. تتبع تغييرات إصدار البرنامج الثابت عبر جميع أجهزة AX21
4. مراقبة محاولات الوصول غير المصرح بها عبر SSH/Telnet
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.5.1.1 - Information security policies and procedures A.8.1.1 - User access management A.12.2.1 - Change management procedures A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
🔵 SAMA CSF
ID.RA-1 - Asset management and vulnerability identification PR.IP-12 - Information and records management DE.CM-8 - Vulnerability scans RS.RP-1 - Response planning
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy A.12.2.1 - Change management A.5.2.2 - Information security responsibilities
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0
6.2 - Security patches and updates 11.2 - Vulnerability scanning 2.1 - Default security parameters
🔗 References & Sources 0
No references.
📦 Affected Products / CPE 1 entries
TP-Link:Archer AX21
📊 CVSS Score
9.0
/ 10.0 — Critical
📋 Quick Facts
Severity Critical
CVSS Score9.0
EPSS93.65%
Exploit ✓ Yes
Patch ✓ Yes
CISA KEV🇺🇸 Yes
KEV Due Date2023-05-22
Published 2023-05-01
Source Feed cisa_kev
Views 1
🇸🇦 Saudi Risk Score
9.2
/ 10.0 — Saudi Risk
Priority: CRITICAL
🏷️ Tags
kev actively-exploited
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