# CVE-2023-6437: Authenticated RCE

> Authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary OS commands on vulnerable TP-Link routers, potentially compromising the device.

- **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:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 28 Mar 2024
- **Updated:** 20 May 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-q3f6-347p-3qc9

## What is CVE-2023-6437?

CVE-2023-6437 is a critical command injection vulnerability in TP-Link EX20v AX1800, Tp-Link Archer C5v AC1200, Tp-Link TD-W9970, Tp-Link TD-W9970v3, TP-Link VX220-G2u, TP-Link VN020-G2u, published on 28 Mar 2024. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') vulnerability in TP-Link TP-Link EX20v AX1800, Tp-Link Archer C5v AC1200, Tp-Link TD-W9970, Tp-Link TD-W9970v3, TP-Link VX220-G2u, TP-Link VN020-G2u allows authenticated OS Command Injection.

This issue affects TP-Link EX20v AX1800, Tp-Link Archer C5v AC1200, Tp-Link TD-W9970, Tp-Link TD-W9970v3 : through 20240328. Also  the vulnerability continues in the TP-Link VX220-G2u and TP-Link VN020-G2u models due to the products not being produced and supported.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-6437?


## How do I fix CVE-2023-6437?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-6437 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-6437 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-6437 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-6437 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-6437 is a critical command injection vulnerability in TP-Link EX20v AX1800, Tp-Link Archer C5v AC1200, Tp-Link TD-W9970, Tp-Link TD-W9970v3, TP-Link VX220-G2u, TP-Link VN020-G2u, published on 28 Mar 2024. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-6437 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: TP-Link EX20v AX1800, Tp-Link Archer C5v AC1200, Tp-Link TD-W9970, Tp-Link TD-W9970v3, TP-Link VX220-G2u, TP-Link VN020-G2u. 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-2023-6437/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-6437/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-6437
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-6437
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-6437

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-6437/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.