CVE-2023-1389
CVE-2023-1389 is a high-severity vulnerability in Tp-link Archer Ax21 Firmware with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming it has been exploited in the wild (added 2023-05-01). The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-77.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 100% (100th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Yes — listed in CISA KEV (added 2023-05-01)
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2023-23645
- EU exploitation: Flagged exploited in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (since 2023-05-01)
- Weakness: CWE-77
- Affected product: Tp-link Archer Ax21 Firmware
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
TP-Link Archer AX21 (AX1800) firmware versions before 1.1.4 Build 20230219 contained a command injection vulnerability in the country form of the /cgi-bin/luci;stok=/locale endpoint on the web management interface. Specifically, the country parameter of the write operation was not sanitized before being used in a call to popen(), allowing an unauthenticated attacker to inject commands, which would be run as root, with a simple POST request.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2023-1389?
- TP-Link Archer AX21 (AX1800) firmware versions before 1.1.4 Build 20230219 contained a command injection vulnerability in the country form of the /cgi-bin/luci;stok=/locale endpoint on the web management interface. Specifically, the country parameter of the write operation was not sanitized before being used in a call to popen(), allowing an unauthenticated attacker to inject commands, which would be run as root, with a simple POST request.
- How severe is CVE-2023-1389?
- CVE-2023-1389 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over an adjacent network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2023-1389 being actively exploited?
- Yes. CVE-2023-1389 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2023-05-01, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.
- What products are affected by CVE-2023-1389?
- CVE-2023-1389 affects Tp-link Archer Ax21 Firmware. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2023-1389?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Because this CVE is known to be actively exploited, treat remediation as urgent — CISA KEV typically sets a short remediation deadline.
- Does CVE-2023-1389 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2023-1389 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2023-23645. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2023-05-01).
- When was CVE-2023-1389 published?
- CVE-2023-1389 was published on 2023-03-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/174131/TP-Link-Archer-AX21-Command-Injection.html
- https://www.tenable.com/security/research/tra-2023-11
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-1389
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:o:tp-link:archer_ax21_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
More vulnerabilities in Tp-link Archer Ax21 Firmware
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- CVE-2023-27333 — Medium (CVSS 6.8): TP-Link Archer AX21 tmpServer Command 0x422 Stack-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This…
All CVEs affecting Tp-link Archer Ax21 Firmware →
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