CVE-2023-47209 is an OS command injection vulnerability identified in the ipsec policy functionality of the Tp-Link ER7206 Omada Gigabit VPN Router, specifically in version 1.3.0 build 20230322 Rel.70591. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in OS commands (CWE-78), allowing an authenticated attacker to inject arbitrary commands via a crafted HTTP request. The attack vector requires network access and valid authentication credentials but does not require user interaction. Exploitation can lead to full compromise of the router’s operating system, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the router’s web service. This can result in unauthorized access to network traffic, disruption of VPN services, and potential pivoting into internal networks. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2, indicating high severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, high privileges required, and no user interaction. No public exploits are currently known, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and enriched by CISA. The router is commonly used in enterprise and SMB environments for VPN connectivity, making this a critical concern for network security. The lack of an official patch at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate mitigation through access controls and monitoring.

For European organizations, exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to severe consequences including unauthorized command execution on critical network infrastructure, interception or manipulation of VPN traffic, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks. This threatens confidentiality by exposing sensitive communications, integrity by allowing alteration of router configurations or network traffic, and availability by disrupting VPN services or causing device failures. Organizations relying on the Tp-Link ER7206 for secure remote access or site-to-site VPNs are particularly vulnerable, as compromise could undermine their entire network security posture. The high privileges required for exploitation limit the attack surface but do not eliminate risk, especially in environments with weak authentication or exposed management interfaces. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but also means defenders must proactively secure devices before attackers develop weaponized exploits. The impact extends to regulatory compliance, as data breaches or service disruptions could violate GDPR and other European data protection laws.

1. Immediately restrict administrative access to the router’s management interface by limiting it to trusted IP addresses and using VPN or out-of-band management channels. 2. Enforce strong authentication mechanisms, including complex passwords and, if supported, multi-factor authentication for router administration. 3. Monitor router logs and network traffic for unusual or unauthorized HTTP requests targeting the ipsec policy functionality. 4. Segment the network to isolate the router management interface from general user networks to reduce exposure. 5. Disable any unnecessary services or features on the router that are not in use, minimizing the attack surface. 6. Regularly check Tp-Link’s official channels for firmware updates or patches addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 7. Conduct periodic security audits and penetration testing focusing on network infrastructure devices. 8. Educate network administrators about the risks of post-authentication vulnerabilities and the importance of secure credential management.