Archer C7 v5 and v5.8: Inadequate Encryption Strength
CVE-2026-5363 is a high-severity inadequate encryption strength vulnerability in Archer C7 v5 and v5.8 from TP-Link, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Archer C7 v5 and v5.8 versions: Build 20220715 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.1% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Archer C7 Firmware to 1.2.1 or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link | Archer C7 v5 and v5.8 | Build 20220715 and earlier | Not stated |
| TP-Link | Archer C7 Firmware | before 1.2.1 | 1.2.1 |
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
- 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:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 5.4 | Medium | CNA |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
Inadequate Encryption Strength vulnerability in TP-Link Archer C7 v5 and v5.8 (uhttpd modules) allows Password Recovery Exploitation. The web interface encrypts the admin password client-side using RSA-1024 before sending it to the router during login. An adjacent attacker with the ability to intercept network traffic could potentially perform a brute-force or factorization attack against the 1024-bit RSA key to recover the plaintext administrator password, leading to unauthorized access and compromise of the device configuration. This issue affects Archer C7: through Build 20220715.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Inadequate Encryption Strength
The product stores or transmits sensitive data using an encryption scheme that is theoretically sound, but is not strong enough for the level of protection required.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an encryption scheme that is currently considered to be strong by experts in the field.
More Inadequate Encryption Strength vulnerabilities (CWE-326)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
- tp-link.com/us/support/faq/3562/Not Applicable
Recent Inadequate Encryption Strength vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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