CVE-2022-41540
Published: 18 October 2022
Summary
CVE-2022-41540 is a medium-severity Use of Hard-coded Credentials (CWE-798) vulnerability in Tp-Link Ax10 Firmware. Its CVSS base score is 5.9 (Medium).
Operationally, ranked in the top 9.6% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis
The vulnerability CVE-2022-41540 affects the web app client of the TP-Link AX10v1 router running firmware V1_211117. It stems from the use of hard-coded cryptographic keys for communications between the client and the router, which is categorized under CWE-798. This design flaw allows potential exposure of sensitive data if the keys can be recovered.
An attacker positioned to perform a man-in-the-middle attack on the network can intercept traffic between the web client and the router. By obtaining the sequence key through brute force, the attacker can decrypt communications and access sensitive information. The CVSS 3.1 score of 5.9 reflects the high attack complexity required despite the lack of authentication or user interaction needed.
TP-Link publishes updated firmware for the Archer AX10 v1 on its support site, which practitioners can use to address client-side issues in the affected version. Public proof-of-concept material for offline decryption of captured traffic is also available.
The EPSS score has remained flat at 0.0549 with no material increase since disclosure, indicating limited observed exploitation interest.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2022-44733
Vulnerability details
The web app client of TP-Link AX10v1 V1_211117 uses hard-coded cryptographic keys when communicating with the router. Attackers who are able to intercept the communications between the web client and router through a man-in-the-middle attack can then obtain the sequence…
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key via a brute-force attack, and access sensitive information.
- 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.