CVE-2026-24427 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-201 (Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data) affecting Shenzhen Tenda Technology Co., Ltd.'s Tenda AC7 router firmware versions V03.03.03.01_cn and prior. The issue arises because the router's web management interface includes sensitive administrative credentials, such as the router and admin panel passwords, in plaintext within the HTTP response bodies when configuration data is requested. This exposure occurs during normal management operations and is compounded by the absence of proper Cache-Control HTTP headers, which would normally prevent browsers from storing these sensitive pages in their cache. As a result, any attacker who gains local access to the client machine or browser profile can retrieve these cached credentials, leading to potential unauthorized access to the router's administrative functions. The vulnerability requires an attacker to have local access (AV:L) and low privileges (PR:L) but does not require user interaction (UI:N) or authentication (AT:N). The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality beyond the local environment but poses a significant risk if an attacker can access the victim's device or browser data. The CVSS 4.0 score of 6.8 reflects these factors, indicating a medium severity level. No patches or exploits are currently reported, but the risk remains for environments where these routers are deployed without updated firmware or mitigations.

The primary impact of CVE-2026-24427 is the unauthorized disclosure of administrative credentials for the Tenda AC7 router. If an attacker gains access to these credentials, they can fully control the router, potentially altering network configurations, intercepting traffic, or launching further attacks within the network. The exposure of plaintext passwords in web responses and cached browser data increases the risk of credential theft, especially in environments where multiple users share devices or where endpoint security is weak. This vulnerability could lead to compromised network integrity and confidentiality, especially in small office/home office (SOHO) environments where Tenda AC7 routers are commonly used. The lack of Cache-Control headers exacerbates the risk by enabling persistent storage of sensitive data on client devices. Although exploitation requires local access, the widespread use of these routers in residential and small business settings means that attackers who gain physical or remote access to client devices could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and compromise network security. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests limited active exploitation currently, but the vulnerability remains a significant risk until patched.

To mitigate CVE-2026-24427, organizations and users should: 1) Monitor Shenzhen Tenda's official channels for firmware updates addressing this vulnerability and apply patches promptly once available. 2) Restrict physical and local access to client devices that manage the Tenda AC7 router to prevent unauthorized access to cached credentials. 3) Clear browser caches regularly and configure browsers to avoid caching sensitive pages, possibly by using private/incognito modes when managing router settings. 4) Implement network segmentation to isolate management interfaces from general user networks, reducing exposure if credentials are compromised. 5) Use strong, unique administrative passwords and change them regularly to limit the impact of potential credential disclosure. 6) Employ endpoint security solutions that detect unauthorized access to browser profiles or suspicious local activity. 7) Consider replacing affected devices with models that have more robust security controls if timely patching is not feasible. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on local access controls, browser cache management, and network architecture adjustments to reduce exploitation risk.