CVE-2024-3659 is a critical vulnerability identified in the firmware of KAON Group AR2140 routers, specifically in versions prior to 3.2.50 and 4.2.16. The root cause is an OS command injection flaw (CWE-78), where the firmware fails to properly neutralize special characters in input sent to certain router endpoints. This allows an attacker to inject arbitrary shell commands that the router executes with system-level privileges. The attack vector involves sending a crafted HTTP request to the router's administrative portal endpoints. Notably, exploitation does not require authentication or user interaction, which significantly increases the risk and ease of exploitation. The vulnerability affects core router firmware components responsible for processing administrative commands, potentially allowing full compromise of the device. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 10.0, reflecting the vulnerability's critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with network attack vector, no required privileges, and no user interaction. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the severity and ease of exploitation make this a high-priority issue. KAON AR2140 routers are commonly deployed in enterprise and ISP environments, making this vulnerability a serious threat to network infrastructure security.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a severe risk to network infrastructure security, particularly for enterprises, ISPs, and critical infrastructure providers using KAON AR2140 routers. Successful exploitation can lead to complete device compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands, disrupt network services, intercept or manipulate traffic, and potentially pivot to internal networks. This can result in data breaches, service outages, and loss of control over critical network components. Given the router's role in managing network traffic and administrative access, the impact extends to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of organizational networks. The lack of required authentication for exploitation increases the threat surface, especially if administrative portals are exposed or accessible internally without adequate protections. European organizations with stringent data protection and operational continuity requirements face heightened regulatory and operational risks. The vulnerability could also be leveraged in targeted attacks against telecom infrastructure or government networks, amplifying its impact.

1. Immediately update KAON AR2140 routers to firmware versions 3.2.50 or 4.2.16 or later, as these versions contain patches addressing the command injection vulnerability. 2. Restrict access to the router's administrative portal by implementing network segmentation, ensuring that only trusted management networks or VPNs can reach the interface. 3. Employ strong authentication mechanisms and change default credentials to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. 4. Monitor network traffic for unusual requests targeting router management endpoints that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Disable or limit remote management capabilities if not strictly necessary. 6. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans focusing on network devices to detect outdated firmware or misconfigurations. 7. Implement intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) tuned to detect command injection patterns or anomalous administrative requests. 8. Maintain an inventory of all KAON AR2140 devices within the organization to ensure comprehensive patching and monitoring. 9. Educate network administrators on the risks and signs of exploitation related to this vulnerability. 10. Coordinate with vendors and security advisories for updates on exploit developments and mitigation best practices.