CVE-2026-49201: Acer Wave 7 router: Hardcoded Cryptographic Key
The upload.cgi binary, responsible for processing device backups, contains a hardcoded AES encryption key. This allows an attacker to decrypt, modify, and re-encrypt system backups, facilitating persistent backdoor injection.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Remove
Remove the affected component from your environment.
Remove or rename the upload.cgi binary from the device filesystem (or otherwise prevent it from being executed) to stop processing of backups that use the hardcoded AES key.
- Configuration
Disable backup upload/restore processing (the upload.cgi functionality) on the device to prevent backups from being decrypted, modified, or re-encrypted using the hardcoded AES key.
Acer Wave 7 upload.cgi (backup processing) backup_processing = disabled - Compensating control
Restrict access to the router's management and backup interfaces to trusted IPs or network segments (via firewall/ACLs) and block remote/untrusted access to the backup functionality to reduce exposure while a permanent fix is unavailable.
- Operational
Inspect existing backup files for signs of tampering, restore affected devices from a known-good backup or perform a factory reset, and rotate any credentials or keys stored on the device after remediation.
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-49201?
The severity of CVE-2026-49201 is classified as critical, with a CVSS score of 10.
How do I fix CVE-2026-49201?
To mitigate CVE-2026-49201, replace the vulnerable Acer Wave 7 router with a model that does not employ hardcoded cryptographic keys.
What vulnerability does CVE-2026-49201 expose?
CVE-2026-49201 exposes a vulnerability allowing attackers to exploit hardcoded AES encryption keys in the Acer Wave 7 router's upload.cgi binary.
Who is affected by CVE-2026-49201?
Users of the Acer Wave 7 router are affected by CVE-2026-49201 due to its hardcoded cryptographic key vulnerability.
What can attackers do with CVE-2026-49201?
Attackers can decrypt, modify, and re-encrypt system backups of the Acer Wave 7 router, facilitating persistent backdoor injection.