CVE-2021-28857 in TL-WPA4220
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2021
TP-Link's TL-WPA4220 4.0.2 Build 20180308 Rel.37064 username and password are sent via the cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2021
The CVE-2021-28857 vulnerability affects TP-Link's TL-WPA4220 wireless access point device running firmware version 4.0.2 Build 20180308 Rel.37064. This security flaw represents a critical authentication weakness where administrative credentials are transmitted through HTTP cookies rather than secure encrypted channels. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of session management within the device's web interface, creating a significant attack surface for unauthorized access. The flaw violates fundamental security principles by exposing sensitive authentication data in transit, making it susceptible to interception and exploitation by malicious actors.
This vulnerability manifests as a classic session management flaw that aligns with CWE-384, which addresses the use of weak session identifiers and improper session handling mechanisms. The device's web administration interface fails to implement proper secure cookie attributes such as HttpOnly, Secure, and SameSite flags, allowing attackers to capture authentication tokens through various means including man-in-the-middle attacks, cross-site scripting exploits, or network packet sniffing. The transmission of username and password credentials via cookies directly violates the security requirements outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and OWASP Top Ten, particularly focusing on authentication and session management controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access to the wireless access point without requiring prior authentication. Once compromised, attackers can modify network configurations, implement malicious policies, monitor network traffic, and potentially establish backdoors for persistent access. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on TP-Link devices for network infrastructure, as it creates a direct path to network control and can facilitate lateral movement within segmented networks. The device's exposure to the internet makes this attack vector particularly dangerous, as it requires no special privileges or complex exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-28857 should include immediate firmware updates from TP-Link to address the cookie handling implementation, followed by network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical infrastructure. Organizations should implement proper network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts and establish secure remote access protocols using VPN or other encrypted channels. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper session management implementation, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing. Additionally, network administrators should conduct regular security assessments of network devices to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure proper configuration of security attributes for all web-based administrative interfaces.