CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-31188NVD status: Modified

Archer C50: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2023-31188 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command vulnerability in Archer C50 from TP-Link, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.0 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Archer C50 versions: firmware versions prior to 'Archer C50(JP)_V3_230505'. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.47% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update archer_c55_firmware to 230506 or a later version.
  2. Update archer_c50_v3_firmware to 230505 or a later version.
  3. Update archer_c20_firmware to 230616 or a later version.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
TP-LinkArcher C50firmware versions prior to 'Archer C50(JP)_V3_230505'Not stated
TP-LinkArcher C55firmware versions prior to 'Archer C55(JP)_V1_230506'Not stated
TP-LinkArcher C20firmware versions prior to 'Archer C20(JP)_V1_230616'Not stated
TP-Linkarcher_c55_firmwarebefore 230506230506
TP-Linkarcher_c50_v3_firmwarebefore 230505230505
TP-Linkarcher_c20_firmwarebefore 230616230616

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
AdjacentThe attacker must be on the same local network segment.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
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:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.18.0HighNVD
CVSS 3.18.0HighCISA (ADP)

Official description

Multiple TP-LINK products allow a network-adjacent authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary OS commands. Affected products/versions are as follows: Archer C50 firmware versions prior to 'Archer C50(JP)_V3_230505', Archer C55 firmware versions prior to 'Archer C55(JP)_V1_230506', and Archer C20 firmware versions prior to 'Archer C20(JP)_V1_230616'.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command

The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command before it is sent to a downstream component.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
  • For any data that will be used to generate a command to be executed, keep as much of that data out of external control as possible. For example, in web applications, this may require storing the data locally in the session's state instead of sending it out to the client in a hidden form field.
  • For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.

More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command vulnerabilities (CWE-78)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Other vulnerabilities in Archer C50

All Archer C50 vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command vulnerabilities

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