CVE-2025-14737 is an OS command injection vulnerability classified under CWE-78, found in the httpd modules of TP-Link WA850RE wireless range extenders, specifically affecting versions V2_160527 and V3_160922. The vulnerability allows an attacker who is authenticated and has adjacent network access (e.g., connected to the same local network segment) to inject arbitrary operating system commands. This occurs due to improper neutralization of special elements in OS commands, enabling command injection. The attacker must have high privileges (authenticated with administrative rights) but does not require user interaction to exploit the flaw. Successful exploitation can lead to full compromise of the device, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the httpd process, potentially leading to device takeover, network pivoting, or disruption of network services. The CVSS v4.0 score is 7.1 (high), reflecting the vulnerability's significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with low attack complexity and no user interaction required. No patches or exploit code are currently publicly available, but the vulnerability is published and should be considered a serious risk for affected deployments. The affected devices are commonly used in home and small office environments, but their presence in enterprise or critical infrastructure networks increases the threat level. The lack of segmentation or weak authentication mechanisms could facilitate exploitation by malicious insiders or lateral movement by attackers who gain initial footholds in the network.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-14737 can be substantial, especially for those relying on TP-Link WA850RE devices for network extension in office or industrial environments. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized command execution, resulting in device compromise, data exfiltration, network disruption, or use of the device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. This can undermine confidentiality by exposing sensitive data, integrity by allowing unauthorized changes to device configurations or network traffic, and availability by causing device or network outages. Organizations in sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, and critical infrastructure that use these devices may face operational disruptions and regulatory compliance issues under GDPR if personal data is compromised. The requirement for authenticated access limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, as credential theft or insider threats could enable exploitation. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high severity score indicates that the vulnerability should be prioritized for remediation.

1. Immediately restrict access to the management interfaces of TP-Link WA850RE devices to trusted administrators only, preferably via VPN or secure management VLANs. 2. Enforce strong, unique administrative passwords and consider multi-factor authentication if supported. 3. Segment the network to isolate these devices from general user networks and critical infrastructure to limit the potential for adjacent attackers. 4. Monitor device logs and network traffic for unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized access attempts. 5. Regularly audit device firmware versions and configurations to identify vulnerable devices. 6. Engage with TP-Link support or vendor channels to obtain or request patches or firmware updates addressing this vulnerability. 7. Where possible, replace affected devices with models not impacted by this vulnerability or from vendors with stronger security track records. 8. Educate network administrators about the risks of command injection vulnerabilities and the importance of limiting administrative access. 9. Implement network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) tuned to detect exploitation attempts targeting TP-Link devices. 10. Prepare incident response plans that include scenarios involving compromised network devices to ensure rapid containment and remediation.