Archer C64 v1.0: Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality
CVE-2026-8697 is a high-severity missing authentication for critical functionality vulnerability in Archer C64 v1.0 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. The record lists version 1.15.0 Build 250729 Rel.63489n(4555) as the first without the flaw, so updating Archer C64 v1.0 to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.51% 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 C64 v1.0 to 1.15.0 Build 250729 Rel.63489n(4555) or a later version.
- Read the advisory on tp-link.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link | Archer C64 v1.0 | before 1.15.0 Build 250729 Rel.63489n(4555) | 1.15.0 Build 250729 Rel.63489n(4555) |
| TP-Link | Archer C64 Firmware | 1.15.0 | 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
- 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 | 8.7 | High | CNA |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
Due to improper enforcement of authentication rate-limiting on a debug SSH service in Archer C64 v1, the SSH service allows unlimited authentication attempts and uses the same credentials as the web interface. This enables an attacker to brute-force valid credentials via SSH. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker with adjacent network access to obtain administrative credentials through unrestricted authentication attempts and subsequently gain full administrative access to the device, impacting system confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality
The product does not perform any authentication for functionality that requires a provable user identity or consumes a significant amount of resources.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- 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.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, consider using libraries with authentication capabilities such as OpenSSL or the ESAPI Authenticator.
- When storing data in the cloud (e.g., S3 buckets, Azure blobs, Google Cloud Storage, etc.), use the provider's controls to require strong authentication for users who should be allowed to access the data.
More Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality vulnerabilities (CWE-306)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other references
Recent Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 8.2 High severity
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