CVE-2022-48194
Published: 30 December 2022
Summary
CVE-2022-48194 is a high-severity Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type (CWE-434) vulnerability in Tp-Link Tl-Wr902Ac Firmware. Its CVSS base score is 8.8 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 1.9% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis
TP-Link TL-WR902AC devices through firmware version V3 0.9.1 contain an inadequate signature verification mechanism for firmware updates. The flaw, tracked as CWE-434, permits remote authenticated attackers to supply a malicious firmware image that bypasses checks, resulting in arbitrary code execution or a denial-of-service condition. The vulnerability carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8.
An attacker who already possesses valid administrative credentials can upload the crafted firmware through the device’s management interface. Successful exploitation grants the attacker full control over the router or the ability to crash it, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Public exploit code demonstrating the attack has been published on Packet Storm and GitHub. The CVE’s EPSS score reached a peak of 0.7043 and currently stands at 0.5555, indicating sustained exploitation interest after disclosure. No official vendor mitigation details appear in the referenced sources.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2022-50905
Vulnerability details
TP-Link TL-WR902AC devices through V3 0.9.1 allow remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a Denial of Service (DoS) by uploading a crafted firmware update because the signature check is inadequate.
- 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.
Requiring identifiable owners for portable devices reduces the attack surface for unrestricted uploads of dangerous file types via anonymous media.
Dangerous file uploads can be detonated in the chamber to determine malice before any production write or execution occurs.
Prevents unrestricted writing of arbitrary or malicious firmware by keeping hardware write-protect enabled except under tightly controlled manual procedures.
Scans files from external sources on download/open/execute, blocking unrestricted uploads of dangerous file types.