---
id: "CVE-2026-118865"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-118865"]
title: "TP-Link Archer AX3000 v2: admin can run commands via USB download path"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.3
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "Archer AX3000 v2", "fixed": ["1.1.3 Build 261026"], "affected": "V2 firmware before 1.1.3 Build 261026 (TP-Link lists only the fixed build)", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: []
tags: ["archer-ax3000", "home-router", "infrastructure", "router-firmware", "tp-link"]
not_affected_if: ["no-offline-download", "no-usb-storage", "other-models"]
published_at: "2026-11-03T22:19:29+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-03T23:15:08+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-03T23:17:15+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-118865", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-03T23:15:08+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": null, "first_seen_at": "2026-11-03T23:17:15+00:00"}]
---

# TP-Link Archer AX3000 v2: admin can run commands via USB download path

An authenticated administrator of the Archer AX3000 v2 router can enter a crafted path in the Offline Download feature when a USB storage device is attached. The path is passed to a system command without sanitizing shell characters, so the attacker can run arbitrary commands on the router.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:Archer AX3000 v2 affected V2 firmware before 1.1.3 Build 261026 (TP-Link lists only the fixed build) fixed 1.1.3 Build 261026

## How to check

- Find your hardware version (label on the router); only V2 is listed as affected.
- In the router admin web interface, check the firmware version (System Tools > Firmware Upgrade). Anything older than 1.1.3 Build 261026 on V2 is not confirmed fixed.
- Also check whether a USB storage device is attached and Offline Download is in use; the advisory does not say if it is on by default.

## Fix

Update Archer AX3000 v2 to firmware 1.1.3 Build 261026 or later (US firmware from TP-Link's Archer AX3000 download page).

## Timeline

- 2026-11-03T23:15:08+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-118865
- 2026-11-03T23:17:15+00:00 analyst — Read TP-Link advisory FAQ 5380: fixed in Archer AX3000 v2 firmware 1.1.3 Build 261026. Advisory does not say whether Offline Download is on by default, nor list affected builds; no exploitation or PoC found.

## Documents

- [advisory] TP-Link Security Advisory CVE-2026-118865 (Archer AX3000 v2) https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/5380/

## From the sources

An authenticated OS command injection vulnerability exists in the Offline Download component (USB storage allocation) of Archer AX3000 v2. When a USB storage device is attached, an authenticated administrator can submit a crafted path value containing shell metacharacters that is not properly neutralized before being passed to a system command. 

Successful exploitation may allow arbitrary command execution on the affected device.

---

_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_