# CVE-2016-10178: D-Link DWR-932B unauthenticated backdoor in appmgr

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-10178-d-link-dwr-932b-unauthenticated-backdoor-in-appmgr  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2017-01-30. Updated: 2026-05-13  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2016-10178 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2017-01-30

The D-Link DWR-932B LTE router contains a hidden backdoor that allows anyone on the network to gain full control of the device. By sending a specific command to the router, an attacker can bypass all security and access the system's command line. This could lead to the theft of internet traffic, interception of sensitive data, or the use of the router as a foothold for further attacks on the home or office network.

Technologies: [Dlink Dwr-932b](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/dwr-932b), [Dlink Dwr-932b Firmware](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/dwr-932b-firmware). Vendors: [Dlink](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/dlink).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2016-10178 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2016-10178 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2016-10178?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 30 January 2017.

**Which products and versions are affected?** D-Link DWR-932B firmware 2.02EU (Revision B) and earlier.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2016-10178?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2016-10178 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2016-10178?** Check whether you run Dlink Dwr-932b or Dlink Dwr-932b Firmware. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A backdoor exists within the '/bin/appmgr' program on the D-Link DWR-932B router. A background thread listens on UDP port 39889; if it receives the string 'HELODBG', it executes '/sbin/telnetd -l /bin/sh'. This action launches a Telnet server that provides an unauthenticated root shell to any network-reachable attacker. This vulnerability is part of a larger set of security issues identified in the device's firmware, including hardcoded credentials and weak WPS PIN generation. As of the advisory date, no official patches were provided by the vendor for this legacy device.

## Affected products

- D-Link DWR-932B firmware 2.02EU (Revision B) and earlier

## Timeline

- 2016-09-28: disclosed: Initial researcher disclosure by Pierre Kim
- 2017-01-30: advisory: NVD publication date

## References

- [http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95877](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95877)
- [https://pierrekim.github.io/blog/2016-09-28-dlink-dwr-932b-lte-routers-vulnerabilities.html](https://pierrekim.github.io/blog/2016-09-28-dlink-dwr-932b-lte-routers-vulnerabilities.html)

## Related threats

- [D-Link DWR-932B missing deny rules in UPnP configuration](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-10186-d-link-dwr-932b-missing-deny-rules-in-upnp-configuration)
- [D-Link DWR-932B disabled UPnP security mode](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-10185-d-link-dwr-932b-disabled-upnp-security-mode)
- [D-Link DWR-932B path traversal in qmiweb](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-10184-d-link-dwr-932b-path-traversal-in-qmiweb)
- [D-Link DWR-932B directory traversal in qmiweb](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-10183-d-link-dwr-932b-directory-traversal-in-qmiweb)
- [D-Link DWR-932B command injection in qmiweb](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-10182-d-link-dwr-932b-command-injection-in-qmiweb)