CVE-2025-45488 is a command injection vulnerability identified in the Linksys E5600 router, specifically version 1.1.0.26. The vulnerability resides in the runtime.ddnsStatus DynDNS function, where the 'mailex' parameter is improperly sanitized, allowing an attacker to inject arbitrary commands. Command injection vulnerabilities (classified under CWE-77) enable attackers to execute arbitrary system-level commands on the affected device, potentially leading to unauthorized control or manipulation of the device. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. The vector metrics indicate that the attack can be performed remotely (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N), but the impact on confidentiality and integrity is limited (C:L/I:L), with no impact on availability (A:N). There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability was reserved on April 22, 2025, and published on May 6, 2025. Given the nature of the affected function (DynDNS status), exploitation could allow attackers to manipulate dynamic DNS configurations or execute commands that could compromise the router's operation or network traffic routing.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk, especially for those using Linksys E5600 routers in their network infrastructure. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized command execution on routers, potentially allowing attackers to intercept, redirect, or disrupt network traffic, or use the compromised device as a foothold for further internal network attacks. Although the impact on availability is rated as none, the integrity and confidentiality of network communications could be compromised, which is critical for organizations handling sensitive data or operating critical services. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and home office environments that rely on consumer-grade routers like the Linksys E5600 may be particularly vulnerable due to less stringent network security controls. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the ease of remote exploitation without authentication increases the urgency for European organizations to address this vulnerability promptly.

1. Immediate mitigation should include isolating affected Linksys E5600 routers from critical network segments to limit potential impact. 2. Monitor network traffic for unusual DNS or command activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. 3. Since no official patches are currently available, organizations should contact Linksys support for any available firmware updates or advisories. 4. If possible, disable the DynDNS feature or specifically the runtime.ddnsStatus function until a patch is released. 5. Employ network-level protections such as firewall rules to restrict access to router management interfaces and services from untrusted networks. 6. Implement network segmentation to minimize the impact of a compromised router on the broader network. 7. Regularly audit and update router firmware and configurations to ensure security best practices are maintained. 8. Educate IT staff about this vulnerability and encourage vigilance for signs of exploitation.