# CVE-2019-17621: D-Link DIR-859 Router Command Execution

> Unauthenticated remote attackers can execute system commands as root on D-Link DIR-859 routers via the UPnP service.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 29 Jun 2023 (CISA KEV)
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 30 Dec 2019
- **Updated:** 21 Oct 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-4cjx-47hq-7hc2

## What is CVE-2019-17621?

CVE-2019-17621 is a critical command injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 30 Dec 2019. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The UPnP endpoint URL /gena.cgi in the D-Link DIR-859 Wi-Fi router 1.05 and 1.06B01 Beta01 allows an Unauthenticated remote attacker to execute system commands as root, by sending a specially crafted HTTP SUBSCRIBE request to the UPnP service when connecting to the local network.

Weakness: CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2019-17621?

It affects 14 products.


Products: Dlink Dir-818lx Firmware, Dlink Dir-822 Firmware, Dlink Dir-823 Firmware, Dlink Dir-859 Firmware, Dlink Dir-865l Firmware, Dlink Dir-868l Firmware, Dlink Dir-869 Firmware, Dlink Dir-880l Firmware, Dlink Dir-885l Firmware, Dlink Dir-885r Firmware, Dlink Dir-890l Firmware, Dlink Dir-890r Firmware, Dlink Dir-895l Firmware, Dlink Dir-895r Firmware.

## How do I fix CVE-2019-17621?

No fix has been published for CVE-2019-17621 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 20 Jul 2023.

## Is CVE-2019-17621 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2019-17621 in the wild since at least 29 Jun 2023.

Public exploit code:

- CVE-2019-17621 DLink_RCE (github_poc): https://github.com/Squirre17/CVE-2019-17621
- D-Link DIR-859 Unauthenticated Remote Command Execution (metasploit)

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2019-20213](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-20213/): Auth bypass in n/a (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2019-17621 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2019-17621 is a critical command injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 30 Dec 2019. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2019-17621 in the wild since at least 29 Jun 2023.

Affected product: n/a. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-17621/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-17621/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-17621
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-17621
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2019-17621

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-17621/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.