# CVE-2022-2486: WN535K2 - RCE

> Live exploitation tracking for CVE-2022-2486 by the CrowdSec Live Exploit Tracker, built from real-world attack data crowdsourced from CrowdSec's global network.

Page: https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2022-2486

## Key facts

- **Exploitation phase:** Limited Exploitation. The vulnerability is known but shows very limited attacker interest or exploitation activity.
- **CVSS score:** 8.0
- **Public exploit available:** Yes
- **Affected products:** WAVLINK WN535K2, WAVLINK WN535K3
- **Weaknesses:** CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection'))
- **Tags:** iot

## Description

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in WAVLINK WN535K2 and WN535K3. This affects an unknown part of the file /cgi-bin/mesh.cgi?page=upgrade. The manipulation of the argument key leads to os command injection. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.

## CrowdSec analysis

[CVE-2022-2486](https://euvd.enisa.europa.eu/vulnerability/CVE-2022-2486) is a critical vulnerability in WAVLINK WN535K2 and WN535K3 routers that allows attackers to perform OS command injection via the 'key' parameter in the /cgi-bin/mesh.cgi?page=upgrade endpoint. This flaw could enable authenticated attackers on the network to execute arbitrary commands on the device, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, or disruption of network services. Public exploit code is available, increasing the risk of real-world attacks.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 8th of April 2026.

Data from the CrowdSec community indicates that exploitation of CVE-2022-2486 is highly selective and intelligence-driven. Threat actors use advanced reconnaissance and carefully choose their targets, often as part of sophisticated campaigns or advanced persistent threat operations.
Telemetry from the CrowdSec network also shows that exploitation activity for CVE-2022-2486 remains steady week-over-week. Attack volumes are consistent with long-term trends, indicating sustained interest from threat actors. CVE-2022-2486 continues to be an active part of the threat landscape and will likely remain this way for the forseeable future.

Attackers exploit the `/cgi-bin/mesh.cgi?page=upgrade` endpoint on Wavlink routers by injecting OS commands via the `key` parameter, enabling remote code execution without authentication.

## Timeline

- 2022-07-20: CVE Published. CVE-2022-2486 is published to NVD.
- 2026-04-08: Rule Released. CrowdSec releases a rule to detect CVE-2022-2486 exploitation attempts against the CrowdSec Network.
- 2026-04-08: CrowdSec First Seen. CrowdSec observes in-the-wild exploitation of CVE-2022-2486 for the first time.

## References

- https://vuldb.com/?id.204537
- https://github.com/1angx/webray.com.cn/blob/main/Wavlink/Wavlink%20mesh.cgi.md
- https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2022/CVE-2022-2486.yaml

## Live exploitation data

The [Live Exploit Tracker page](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2022-2486) follows observed exploitation activity for CVE-2022-2486. [Request an API key](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/request-api-key) for full access to its exploitation timeline, attacking IP addresses and blocklists.