CVE-2024-57040
Exposed Creds in Tp-Link Tl-Wr845N Firmware 190219 … 201214
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HSummary
CVE-2024-57040 is a critical-severity Use of Hard-coded Credentials (CWE-798) vulnerability in Tp-Link Tl-Wr845N Firmware. Its CVSS base score is 9.8 (Critical).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Unsecured Credentials (T1552); ranked in the top 37% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified map to IA-5 (Authenticator Management) and SC-12 (Cryptographic Key Establishment and Management) — see the control section below for these in your framework.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
TP-Link TL-WR845N routers running firmware versions TL-WR845N(UN)_V4_200909 and TL-WR845N(UN)_V4_190219 contain a hardcoded root password that can be recovered through firmware analysis or brute-force attempts after physical access. The flaw is tracked as CVE-2024-57040 with a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8 and is classified under CWE-798 for use of hard-coded credentials.
An attacker with network reachability can leverage the credential to obtain full administrative control, resulting in complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability without requiring authentication or user interaction. Physical proximity enables direct brute-force attempts on the exposed root account.
The vendor states that the issue is resolved in firmware version 250401 and later. A technical report detailing the password recovery process is available at the referenced URL.
EPSS for the vulnerability rose from low values to a recorded peak of 0.0970 on 2026-04-06 before receding to the current score of 0.0264, indicating a period of increased exploitation interest after disclosure.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2025-5279
Vulnerability Data
TP-Link TL-WR845N devices with firmware TL-WR845N(UN)_V4_200909 and TL-WR845N(UN)_V4_190219 was discovered to contain a hardcoded password for the root account which can be obtained by analyzing downloaded firmware or via a brute force attack through physical access to the router. NOTE:…
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The supplier has stated that this issue was fixed in firmware versions 250401 or later.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Authenticator management requires secure distribution and handling of credentials, structurally discouraging hard-coded values.
Cryptographic key management mandates proper establishment and handling instead of embedding keys in code.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
PR.AA-01's credential/key-management processes can reduce the incentive to embed secrets but do not address or detect hard-coded values in source code, so the weakness remains fully possible.
PR.AA-02 addresses human identity proofing and per-person credential issuance at enrollment; it has no bearing on whether developers embed static credentials in software.
PR.DS-01 addresses encryption and integrity of stored data but never touches credential or key management practices, so it neither prevents hard-coded credentials nor removes any of their risk.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Education on secure configuration practices discourages technical staff from embedding or relying on hard-coded credentials in systems and applications.
Secure key-generation, distribution and storage procedures reduce the likelihood that hard-coded or default cryptographic keys will be introduced or left unprotected.
Explicit prohibition of hard-coded passwords and unauthenticated external services stops credentials from being embedded directly in source code.
Contractual requirements for secure coding practices and evidence of testing make it less likely that hard-coded credentials will be introduced or remain undetected in delivered code.
Requiring independent oversight and timely disabling of non-human identities makes it harder for hard-coded or long-lived credentials to remain exploitable.
Mandating immediate replacement of vendor-supplied default credentials eliminates the use of hard-coded or factory passwords that attackers can trivially obtain from documentation or firmware.