CVE-2026-1970 is an open redirect vulnerability affecting the Edimax BR-6258n wireless router firmware versions 1.0 through 1.18. The vulnerability resides in the formStaDrvSetup function within the /goform/formStaDrvSetup endpoint. Specifically, the submit-url parameter can be manipulated by an attacker to cause the router to redirect users to arbitrary external URLs. This flaw can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, but it does require user interaction, such as clicking a crafted link. The open redirect can be leveraged in phishing campaigns or social engineering attacks to trick users into visiting malicious websites under the guise of a trusted router interface. The vendor has declared the product end-of-life and has not released patches, though a consolidated security advisory is planned. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction needed, and limited impact on integrity and availability. No known exploits are currently active in the wild, but proof-of-concept exploit code has been published. This vulnerability does not directly allow code execution or data leakage but poses a risk by facilitating redirection to malicious sites, potentially leading to credential theft or malware infection.

For European organizations, the primary risk of CVE-2026-1970 lies in its potential to facilitate phishing and social engineering attacks via trusted router interfaces. While the vulnerability itself does not compromise router confidentiality or availability, attackers can exploit the open redirect to lure users into visiting malicious websites, potentially leading to credential compromise or malware infections. Organizations relying on Edimax BR-6258n routers, especially in environments where these devices are accessible remotely or used by non-technical staff, face increased risk. The end-of-life status means no official patches are forthcoming, increasing exposure over time. This could impact sectors with critical infrastructure or sensitive data if attackers use this vector as part of a broader attack chain. Additionally, the vulnerability could be used to bypass some web filtering or security controls by redirecting through a trusted device interface. Overall, the impact is medium but could be escalated if combined with other vulnerabilities or social engineering tactics.

Given the end-of-life status and lack of patches, European organizations should prioritize replacing Edimax BR-6258n routers with supported models that receive security updates. Until replacement, organizations should disable any remote management features on these devices to reduce exposure to remote exploitation. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate router management interfaces from general user networks, limiting access to trusted administrators only. User education is critical to raise awareness about phishing risks and suspicious redirects, especially when interacting with router interfaces. Monitoring network traffic for unusual redirect patterns or unexpected external connections can help detect exploitation attempts. If possible, implement web filtering or DNS filtering to block known malicious domains that could be used in redirected URLs. Finally, maintain an inventory of all network devices to identify and track unsupported hardware for timely decommissioning.