TL-WR841N: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information
CVE-2022-0162 is a critical-severity cleartext transmission of sensitive information vulnerability in TL-WR841N from TP-Link, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected TL-WR841N versions: V11 3.16.9 Build 160325 Rel.62500n. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.67% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 53% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of TL-WR841N you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link | TL-WR841N | V11 3.16.9 Build 160325 Rel.62500n | Not stated |
| TP-Link | Tl-wr841n Firmware | 3.16.9 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.4 | High | CNA (cert-in.org.in) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
The vulnerability exists in TP-Link TL-WR841N V11 3.16.9 Build 160325 Rel.62500n wireless router due to transmission of authentication information in cleartextbase64 format. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to intercept credentials and subsequently perform administrative operations on the affected device through web-based management interface.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information
The product transmits sensitive or security-critical data in cleartext in a communication channel that can be sniffed by unauthorized actors.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Before transmitting, encrypt the data using reliable, confidentiality-protecting cryptographic protocols.
- When using web applications with SSL, use SSL for the entire session from login to logout, not just for the initial login page.
- When designing hardware platforms, ensure that approved encryption algorithms (such as those recommended by NIST) protect paths from security critical data to trusted user applications.
More Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information vulnerabilities (CWE-319)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- cert-in.org.in/s2cMainServlet?pageid=PUBVLNOTES01&VLCODE=CIVN-2022-0068Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in TL-WR841N
- 6.5 Medium severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.0 High severity
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