Root shell access via residual debug code
Published Oct 21, 2025 · Updated Oct 21, 2025
Improper privilege management in TP-Link Omada, Omada Pro, and Festa gateway firmware allows attackers to obtain a root shell. The cli_server binary retains a hidden debug path that enables root SSH login when /usr/sbin/image_type_debug exists. Exploitation requires high privileges and adjacent access, plus creation of that marker through another flaw or possession of the signing key.
Summary
What happened
Improper privilege management in TP-Link Omada, Omada Pro, and Festa gateway firmware allows attackers to obtain a root shell. The cli_server binary retains a hidden debug path that enables root SSH login when /usr/sbin/image_type_debug exists. Exploitation requires high privileges and adjacent access, plus creation of that marker through another flaw or possession of the signing key.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-7851
- Published
- Oct 21, 2025
- Updated
- Oct 21, 2025
- Vendor
- TP-Link Systems Inc.
- Product
- Omada Gateways
- Classifications
- CWE-269, T1068
- Attack vector
- adjacent
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Oct 21, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Oct 21, 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?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=0 <ER8411 1.3.3, ER7412-M2 1.1.0, ER707-M2 1.3.1, ER7206 2.2.2, ER605 2.3.1, ER706W 1.2.1, ER706W-4G 1.2.1, ER7212PC 2.1.3
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Forescout residual debug-path demonstrationproof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
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