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CVE-2026-82695 – Unauthenticated Remote Access via Telnet Handler – Tenda AC18 Firmware 15.03.05.19

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Summary

CVE-2026-82695 is a critical missing-authentication vulnerability affecting the Telnet Handler component of Tenda AC18 wireless routers running firmware version 15.03.05.19. The flaw resides in the /goform/telnet endpoint, which fails to enforce any authentication check before processing requests, allowing a remote, unauthenticated attacker to trigger the handler over the network. The issue has been assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 10.0 (Critical), and a public proof-of-concept exploit is available.

Technical details

  • Root cause: The /goform/telnet request handler on Tenda AC18 does not require any form of authentication before executing its function (classified as CWE-306: Missing Authentication and CWE-287: Improper Authentication).
  • Trigger conditions: An attacker only needs network access to the device’s management interface; no credentials, prior session, or user interaction are required to reach the vulnerable endpoint.
  • Attack vector: Network (remote), low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction — consistent with the CVSS vector below.
  • Impact: Because the endpoint is tied to the router’s Telnet functionality, successful exploitation can allow an attacker to enable/interact with Telnet access on the device without authentication, which can lead to full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the device (e.g., unauthorized administrative/shell-level access, configuration tampering, or use of the router as a foothold for further network attacks).
  • A working exploit for this vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic scanning and exploitation.

Affected software

  • Tenda AC18 — firmware version 15.03.05.19

Severity

  • CVSS v3.1 Base Score: 10.0 (Critical)
  • Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Mitigation and recommended actions

  • Immediate: Check Tenda’s official support/download pages for a firmware update beyond version 15.03.05.19 for the AC18 model and apply it as soon as it is available. No vendor-confirmed patched version has been publicly identified at the time of writing.
  • If no patch is available:
    • Disable remote/WAN-facing management and Telnet access on the device entirely.
    • Restrict access to the router’s administrative interface (including /goform/telnet) to trusted internal network segments only, using firewall rules or network segmentation.
    • Disable Telnet services on the device if not strictly required.
    • Monitor network traffic for unexpected requests to /goform/telnet or unsolicited Telnet connection attempts to the device.
    • Given the device’s end-of-support status is unconfirmed, consider replacing legacy/unsupported Tenda AC18 units with actively supported hardware if a vendor fix is not released.

References

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