CVE-2023-36489

Unauthenticated OS command execution

Published Sep 6, 2023 · Updated Sep 26, 2024

OS command injection in TP-Link TL-WR802N, TL-WR841N, and TL-WR902AC firmware allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands. Public CNA and JPCERT/CC materials do not identify the request handler, parameter, or shell invocation that fails to neutralize command metacharacters. Exploitation requires access to an adjacent network but no authentication or user interaction, and successful commands can fully control the router firmware environment.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.56%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

OS command injection in TP-Link TL-WR802N, TL-WR841N, and TL-WR902AC firmware allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands. Public CNA and JPCERT/CC materials do not identify the request handler, parameter, or shell invocation that fails to neutralize command metacharacters. Exploitation requires access to an adjacent network but no authentication or user interaction, and successful commands can fully control the router firmware environment.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-36489
Published
Sep 6, 2023
Updated
Sep 26, 2024
Vendor
TP-Link
Product
TL-WR902AC
Classifications
CWE-78, T1059
Attack vector
adjacent
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 6, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 26, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <v3_230506
  2. Affected versionversion=firmware versions prior to 'TL-WR902AC(JP)_V3_230506'

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectoradjacent
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

TP-Link · TL-WR902ACversion=0 <v3_230506; version=firmware versions prior to 'TL-WR902AC(JP)_V3_230506'
TP-Link · TL-WR802Nversion=221008 <v4_221008; version=firmware versions prior to 'TL-WR802N(JP)_V4_221008'
TP-Link · TL-WR841N Firmwareversion=0 <v14_230506
TP-Link · TL-WR841Nversion=firmware versions prior to 'TL-WR841N(JP)_V14_230506'

Published CVSS scores

8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectoradjacent
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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