CVE-2023-43138Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Authenticated command execution via NAPT rule name

Published Sep 20, 2023 · Updated Sep 25, 2024

Command injection in TP-Link TL-ER5120G 4.0 2.0.0 Build 210817 Rel.80868n allows remote authenticated users to execute commands. The NAPT rule handler fails to neutralize shell metacharacters in the attacker-controlled rule name before command execution. Access to the web management interface and valid credentials is required; successful injection executes commands with the router service's privileges.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability2.06%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Command injection in TP-Link TL-ER5120G 4.0 2.0.0 Build 210817 Rel.80868n allows remote authenticated users to execute commands. The NAPT rule handler fails to neutralize shell metacharacters in the attacker-controlled rule name before command execution. Access to the web management interface and valid credentials is required; successful injection executes commands with the router service's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-43138
Published
Sep 20, 2023
Updated
Sep 25, 2024
Vendor
TP-Link
Product
TL-ER5120G
Classifications
CWE-77, T1059.004
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 20, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 25, 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=4.0_2.0.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

TP-Link · TL-ER5120Gversion=4.0_2.0.0

Published CVSS scores

8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-77Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
T1059.004Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell

Public exploit references

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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