CVE-2024-39782 is a critical command injection vulnerability identified in the Wavlink AC3000 router firmware version M33A8.V5030.210505. The flaw resides in the adm.cgi sch_reboot() functionality, specifically within the restart_min POST parameter. This parameter is improperly sanitized, allowing an authenticated attacker to inject arbitrary OS commands through specially crafted HTTP requests. Exploitation requires authentication but no user interaction, enabling attackers with valid credentials to execute commands with the privileges of the web server process, which often run with elevated rights on embedded devices. The vulnerability affects the router’s ability to safely handle reboot scheduling commands, leading to potential full compromise of the device. The CVSS v3.1 score of 9.1 reflects the vulnerability’s critical nature, with network attack vector, low attack complexity, high privileges required, no user interaction, and complete impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no public exploits are currently reported, the severity and ease of exploitation make this a significant threat. The vulnerability could be leveraged to pivot into internal networks, intercept or manipulate traffic, or disrupt network availability. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting increases the urgency for mitigation.

For European organizations, exploitation of CVE-2024-39782 could lead to severe consequences including unauthorized control over network infrastructure, data breaches, and disruption of critical services. Compromise of Wavlink AC3000 routers could allow attackers to intercept sensitive communications, manipulate routing or firewall rules, or launch further attacks against internal systems. This is particularly concerning for enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure operators relying on these devices for network connectivity. The vulnerability’s ability to impact confidentiality, integrity, and availability simultaneously raises the risk of espionage, data loss, and operational downtime. Additionally, the requirement for authentication means insider threats or compromised credentials could facilitate exploitation. The absence of known public exploits currently provides a limited window for proactive defense, but the critical severity demands immediate attention to prevent potential targeted attacks in Europe.

Organizations should immediately audit their networks to identify Wavlink AC3000 devices running the vulnerable firmware version M33A8.V5030.210505. Since no official patches are currently available, practical mitigations include disabling remote management interfaces, restricting administrative access to trusted IP addresses, and enforcing strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate vulnerable devices from critical systems. Monitoring for unusual HTTP POST requests targeting adm.cgi endpoints can help detect attempted exploitation. Additionally, consider replacing vulnerable devices with models from vendors with timely security updates if patching is not forthcoming. Regularly check Wavlink’s official channels for firmware updates addressing this vulnerability. Finally, educate administrators about the risks of command injection vulnerabilities and the importance of credential security to reduce the risk of authenticated exploitation.