CVE-2026-24431 is a vulnerability identified in the Shenzhen Tenda W30E V2 router firmware versions up to V16.01.0.19(5037). The core issue is the cleartext storage and display of user account passwords within the router's administrative web interface GUI. Specifically, when an authorized or unauthorized user accesses the management pages, the stored passwords are shown in plaintext rather than being masked or encrypted. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-317, which pertains to cleartext storage of sensitive information. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 7.1 (high), reflecting the network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no authentication required (AT:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and high impact on confidentiality (VC:H). The vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability directly but severely compromises confidentiality by exposing credentials. Because the administrative interface is typically accessible over the local network or potentially exposed to the internet, an attacker with network access can easily retrieve these credentials and gain control over the device. This could lead to further attacks such as network traffic interception, device configuration changes, or pivoting to other internal systems. No patches or firmware updates are currently listed, and no known exploits have been observed in the wild, but the vulnerability's nature makes it a significant risk if left unmitigated.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to network security, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and home office environments where Tenda W30E V2 routers might be deployed. Exposure of administrative credentials in plaintext can lead to unauthorized access to network infrastructure, enabling attackers to modify router configurations, intercept or redirect traffic, and potentially launch further attacks within the internal network. The confidentiality breach could result in data leakage, loss of privacy, and compromise of connected devices. Given the ease of exploitation without authentication or user interaction, attackers can quickly escalate privileges and establish persistent access. This risk is heightened in environments where network segmentation and access controls are weak. Additionally, organizations in sectors with strict data protection regulations, such as GDPR in Europe, may face compliance issues and reputational damage if this vulnerability is exploited.

1. Immediately restrict access to the router's administrative interface by limiting it to trusted IP addresses or VLANs, and disable remote management if not required. 2. Monitor network traffic for unusual access patterns to the router's management interface. 3. Implement strong network segmentation to isolate critical systems from devices running vulnerable firmware. 4. Regularly audit and change default or weak passwords on all network devices. 5. Contact Shenzhen Tenda Technology for firmware updates or security advisories and apply patches as soon as they become available. 6. If firmware updates are unavailable, consider replacing affected devices with models from vendors with better security track records. 7. Educate users and administrators about the risks of exposing management interfaces and the importance of secure configurations. 8. Employ network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting router management interfaces.