CVE-2023-50921Network attack vector

Root-account creation via unfiltered username

Published Jan 3, 2024 · Updated Jun 18, 2025

Improper privilege management in GL.iNet router firmware 4.x allows remote attackers to create a root account through the add_user interface. The system module fails to filter an attacker-controlled username before add_user creates the account with root privileges. No authentication or user interaction is required, and successful exploitation grants full control of the affected router.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability0.52%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper privilege management in GL.iNet router firmware 4.x allows remote attackers to create a root account through the add_user interface. The system module fails to filter an attacker-controlled username before add_user creates the account with root privileges. No authentication or user interaction is required, and successful exploitation grants full control of the affected router.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-50921
Published
Jan 3, 2024
Updated
Jun 18, 2025
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-269, CAPEC-233, CAPEC-122, CAPEC-58, T1136.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 3, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jun 18, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

9.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-269Improper Privilege Management
CAPEC-233Privilege Escalation
CAPEC-122Privilege Abuse
CAPEC-58Restful Privilege Elevation
T1136.001Create Account: Local Account

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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