The algorithm scores this router 1/100 - an F. Tenda has one of the worst documented security track records of any consumer router manufacturer. The AC23 has a backdoor rated 9.8/10 severity - the highest critical classification - that was never properly patched. Chinese state jurisdiction applies. There is no US security team.
- Backdoor vulnerability (CVE-2020-10987, CVSS 9.8) - allows remote code execution without authentication. Never adequately patched.
- Hardcoded credentials (CVE-2020-10988) - built-in passwords users cannot change. Publicly documented and searchable online.
- Chinese state jurisdiction - Tenda is a Shenzhen company legally subject to PRC intelligence cooperation requirements
- No US security response team - vulnerability disclosures go unaddressed indefinitely
- New models blocked from FCC authorization
- Zero capability score - no VPN, no network segmentation, no automatic updates, no security monitoring of any kind
- Backdoor vulnerability: A 9.8/10 severity vulnerability lets remote attackers run any command on this router without authentication. It was never adequately patched.
- Hardcoded credentials: Hidden built-in passwords exist that users cannot change. These credentials are documented publicly online - anyone who knows where to look can log in.
- No US security response: Tenda has no meaningful security response infrastructure in the US. Vulnerability disclosures go unaddressed indefinitely.
FCC & Ban Risk
2
/100
F
Supply chain · FCC status · CVEs · Patch support
Security Capabilities
0
/100
F
Zero-Trust · VPN · Segmentation · Monitoring
🏭 Manufacturer
Chinese-owned
Shenzhen Tenda Technology Co., Ltd., China
Manufactured in: China
🛡️ Patch Support
No active US security team
Whether security vulnerabilities are actively being patched
⚠️ Key Finding
critical
Backdoor vulnerability
Router Security Updates
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Security capabilities comparison
We benchmark your router against Rio Router across 8 dimensions so you can see exactly what gaps exist - and what a fully-covered setup looks like.
TENDA
your router
Rio Router™
full standard
Zero-Trust Device Admission
Every new device is blocked by default - admin must approve it once, even if it has the right password
Not available
Available
Network Segmentation (VLANs)
Devices on your network are isolated from each other, so a hacked smart TV can't reach your laptop
Not available
Available
Router-Level VPN for All Devices
All traffic - including smart devices that can't run VPN apps - is encrypted before leaving your home
Not available
Available
Domain Allowlisting
Block everything except approved sites; more effective than trying to blacklist billions of harmful URLs
Not available
Available
Granular Password Control
Separate passwords per network zone - changing one doesn't affect others
Not available
Available
Guest Auto-Expiry
Guest devices are automatically removed when they leave; neighbors can't reconnect without re-approval
Not available
Available
Clean Supply Chain
Manufactured outside Chinese legal jurisdiction - not subject to China's National Intelligence Law
Not available
Available
Active Threat Monitoring
DNS filtering, firewall, activity logs, and ongoing security patch support
Not available
Available
We use Rio Router as the benchmark because it’s the only consumer router built to score 8/8 on this framework - it shows you what a fully-covered setup looks like, not just what’s typical.
See Rio →
See all Tenda models: Tenda brand overview →
What you should do
1
Replace this router immediately - documented backdoors are an active risk
2
Do not use it for banking, work, or any sensitive activity
3
If keeping temporarily: factory reset, change all passwords, disable remote access
This router has documented backdoors that were never properly patched.
How this was scored · verified March 2026: This rating combines FCC authorization status, manufacturer legal jurisdiction, CVEs from NIST NVD, active patch support status, and CISA advisory mentions. See full methodology →
Reference Data
Known CVEs - Tenda brand history
From the NIST National Vulnerability Database. Your specific model may or may not be affected.
Unauthenticated RCE via stack overflow in cookie parameter. No login required.
Arbitrary file read via path traversal. Exposes config and credentials to unauthenticated attackers.
See all Tenda CVEs: NIST NVD search →
Sources & evidence
All findings trace to publicly verifiable primary sources - US government databases, official FCC filings, and NIST CVE records. No proprietary or anonymous sources are used.
- CVE-2020-10987 · CVSS 9.8 · NVD ↗
- CVE-2020-10988 · NVD ↗
- FCC Equipment Authorization Database ↗
- FCC Covered List · National Security Designation ↗
Full data source documentation: Scoring Methodology & Citations →