CVE-2022-34045
Published: 20 July 2022
Summary
CVE-2022-34045 is a critical-severity Use of Hard-coded Credentials (CWE-798) vulnerability in Wavlink Wl-Wn530Hg4 Firmware. Its CVSS base score is 9.8 (Critical).
Operationally, ranked in the top 2.4% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis
CVE-2022-34045 affects the Wavlink WN530HG4 wireless router running firmware version M30HG4.V5030.191116. The device stores a hardcoded encryption and decryption key for its configuration files inside the script /etc_ro/lighttpd/www/cgi-bin/ExportAllSettings.sh, an instance of CWE-798 use of hardcoded credentials.
An unauthenticated attacker with network access can retrieve the key and use it to decrypt exported configuration files or craft modified ones that the router will accept. Successful exploitation grants full read and write access to sensitive settings, enabling credential extraction, persistent backdoor installation, or complete device takeover, consistent with the CVSS 9.8 rating that reflects no required privileges or user interaction.
The two public references consist of identical Google Drive links that appear to contain disclosure material but provide no vendor advisory, firmware update, or mitigation guidance. The associated EPSS score has remained stable at 0.4293 since publication, indicating sustained but not newly emerging exploitation interest.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2022-37075
Vulnerability details
Wavlink WN530HG4 M30HG4.V5030.191116 was discovered to contain a hardcoded encryption/decryption key for its configuration files at /etc_ro/lighttpd/www/cgi-bin/ExportAllSettings.sh.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Enables users to notice when hard-coded credentials have been exploited for unauthorized access.
Security training explicitly warns against hard-coded credentials, lowering their use in systems.
Policy and procedures prohibit hard-coded credentials in favor of managed authentication.
External identity providers eliminate the need for hard-coded credentials in applications.
Changing default authenticators prior to first use and protecting content prevents use of hard-coded credentials.
Central credential stores and rotation policies remove the need for hard-coded credentials in configuration files or code.
Intelligence programs surface reports of campaigns that abuse hard-coded credentials in products, prompting removal or replacement and thereby reducing successful exploitation.
Planned investment enables secure credential storage and management systems instead of hard-coded credentials.