CVE-2022-42053 is a command injection vulnerability identified in the Tenda AC1200 Router Model W15Ev2 running firmware version V15.11.0.10(1576). The vulnerability arises from improper input validation in the setPortMapping function, specifically via the PortMappingServer parameter. This flaw allows an authenticated attacker with local access (AV:L) and low privileges (PR:L) to inject arbitrary commands into the router's operating system without requiring any user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the device, as successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise, including unauthorized command execution, data exfiltration, or disruption of network services. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8 (high severity), reflecting the significant impact and relatively low complexity of exploitation, although it requires some level of authentication and local network access. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command), a common and critical class of injection flaws. No public exploits are currently known in the wild, and no official patches have been linked, indicating that affected users may still be vulnerable if they have not applied firmware updates or mitigations. Given the widespread use of Tenda routers in consumer and small business environments, this vulnerability poses a notable risk, especially in scenarios where attackers can gain local network access or compromise credentials.

For European organizations, this vulnerability presents a significant risk primarily to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and home office environments that utilize Tenda AC1200 routers. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the router, potentially leading to network compromise, interception of sensitive data, lateral movement within corporate networks, or denial of service by disrupting routing functions. The impact extends to confidentiality breaches through data interception, integrity violations by altering router configurations or traffic flows, and availability disruptions by disabling network connectivity. Given the high integration of remote work and IoT devices in Europe, compromised routers could serve as pivot points for broader attacks. Additionally, the requirement for local network access means that attackers might leverage phishing or social engineering to gain initial footholds, increasing the threat surface. The absence of known public exploits may reduce immediate risk but also means organizations might underestimate the vulnerability. The lack of official patches necessitates proactive risk management to prevent exploitation. Overall, the vulnerability could undermine network security and operational continuity, particularly in less-resourced organizations with limited IT security capabilities.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on restricting access to the router's management interface to trusted users and networks only, ideally isolating router management interfaces from general user networks. 2. Change default and weak credentials to strong, unique passwords to prevent unauthorized authentication, as exploitation requires at least low privilege access. 3. Disable remote management features if enabled, to reduce exposure to external attackers. 4. Monitor network traffic for unusual activities indicative of command injection attempts or unauthorized configuration changes. 5. Segment networks to limit the impact of a compromised router, ensuring critical systems are on separate VLANs or subnets. 6. Regularly check for firmware updates from Tenda and apply them promptly once available, as vendors may release patches after vulnerability disclosure. 7. Employ network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) with signatures or heuristics capable of detecting command injection patterns or anomalous router behavior. 8. Educate users about phishing and social engineering tactics that could lead to credential compromise, reducing the risk of attackers gaining local access. 9. Consider replacing vulnerable devices with routers from vendors with stronger security track records if patching is not feasible. These steps collectively reduce the attack surface and limit the potential for exploitation.