CVE-2025-11488 is a command injection vulnerability identified in the D-Link DIR-852 router firmware versions up to 20251002. The vulnerability resides in an unspecified component of the /HNAP1/ interface, which is part of the Home Network Administration Protocol used for device management. An attacker can remotely send crafted requests to this interface to execute arbitrary system commands on the device without requiring authentication or user interaction. This lack of authentication and the network attack vector make the vulnerability particularly dangerous, as it can be exploited remotely over the internet or local network. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS 4.0 base score of 6.9, indicating a medium severity level. The exploit code has been publicly disclosed, increasing the likelihood of exploitation attempts. However, the affected devices are no longer supported by D-Link, and no official patches or firmware updates are available to remediate the issue. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected routers, potentially allowing attackers to gain control over the device, intercept or manipulate network traffic, or launch further attacks within the network. Since the DIR-852 is a consumer-grade router often used in home and small office environments, the threat extends to any connected networks relying on these devices. The absence of known active exploitation in the wild suggests that while the vulnerability is exploitable, it has not yet been widely weaponized. Nonetheless, the public availability of exploit code necessitates proactive mitigation.

For European organizations, exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized control over network routers, enabling attackers to intercept sensitive communications, manipulate network traffic, or pivot to other internal systems. This could compromise the confidentiality and integrity of organizational data and disrupt availability by causing device malfunctions or network outages. Small businesses and home offices using outdated DIR-852 devices are particularly at risk, as these devices may lack additional security controls. Critical infrastructure entities using such routers could face operational disruptions or espionage risks. The lack of vendor support means no official patches are available, increasing the risk exposure over time. Additionally, the public exploit availability lowers the barrier for attackers, including cybercriminals and state-sponsored actors, to target vulnerable networks. The impact is amplified in environments where network segmentation is weak or where these routers serve as primary gateways to sensitive systems.

Since no official patches are available due to the end-of-life status of the DIR-852 devices, the most effective mitigation is to replace affected routers with currently supported models that receive security updates. Organizations should inventory their network devices to identify any DIR-852 units and plan for their timely decommissioning. In the interim, network segmentation should be implemented to isolate vulnerable routers from critical systems and sensitive data. Disabling remote management interfaces, especially those exposing /HNAP1/, can reduce the attack surface. Employing network-level intrusion detection or prevention systems to monitor for suspicious traffic targeting the /HNAP1/ endpoint can help detect exploitation attempts. Additionally, enforcing strict firewall rules to block unsolicited inbound traffic to these devices is recommended. Regular network traffic audits and monitoring for anomalous device behavior can aid in early detection of compromise. Educating users about the risks of using unsupported hardware and encouraging timely hardware upgrades is also important.