CVE-2005-2589 in WRT54GS
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in Linksys WRT54GS wireless router with firmware 4.50.6, with WPA Personal/TKIP authentication enabled, allows remote clients to bypass authentication by connecting without using encryption.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2589 represents a significant security flaw in Linksys WRT54GS wireless routers running firmware version 4.50.6. This issue specifically affects networks utilizing WPA Personal/TKIP authentication protocols, creating a dangerous bypass mechanism that undermines the fundamental security assumptions of wireless network protection. The vulnerability exploits a design weakness in the router's authentication handling process, allowing unauthorized remote clients to gain network access without proper authentication credentials.
The technical flaw manifests when WPA Personal/TKIP authentication is enabled on the affected router firmware. Under normal circumstances, WPA Personal authentication requires clients to present a valid pre-shared key before gaining network access. However, this vulnerability enables attackers to establish connections to the wireless network without utilizing encryption, effectively circumventing the authentication mechanism. The flaw likely resides in how the router processes authentication requests when encryption is disabled or when specific connection parameters are manipulated during the initial handshake process. This behavior violates the core principles of wireless security protocols as defined by the IEEE 802.11i standard and creates a pathway for unauthorized network access that should have been prevented by the WPA security framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it represents a complete breakdown in the authentication system's ability to verify client legitimacy. Network administrators who implement WPA Personal/TKIP authentication believe they are protecting their networks through proper security measures, only to discover that the security model has been entirely subverted. The vulnerability allows for passive network infiltration, enabling attackers to potentially monitor network traffic, access shared resources, and establish persistent access points within the network. This threat model aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 for network service scanning and T1071 for application layer protocol usage, while also mapping to CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to patched versions of the Linksys WRT54GS firmware, as the issue stems from specific implementation flaws within the router's authentication handling code. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as disabling WPA Personal/TKIP authentication and migrating to WPA2-Enterprise or WPA3 protocols where available. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authentication implementation and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of network infrastructure components. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect anomalous connection patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining updated firmware versions and the potential consequences of relying on outdated security implementations that may contain known flaws. The issue also emphasizes the need for proper security architecture reviews and the application of defense-in-depth strategies to protect against authentication bypass attacks that can fundamentally compromise network security.