CVE-2022-22922 in TL-WA850RE
Summary
by MITRE • 02/18/2022
TP-Link TL-WA850RE Wi-Fi Range Extender before v6_200923 was discovered to use highly predictable and easily detectable session keys, allowing attackers to gain administrative privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2022
The TP-Link TL-WA850RE Wi-Fi Range Extender running firmware versions prior to v6_200923 contains a critical security vulnerability that stems from the implementation of weak cryptographic session management. This vulnerability falls under the category of predictable session identifier flaws that enable unauthorized administrative access to network devices. The device employs session keys that exhibit highly predictable patterns, making them susceptible to enumeration and exploitation by attackers who lack legitimate credentials. The weakness lies in the cryptographic algorithm used for session key generation, which fails to provide adequate entropy and randomness required for secure session management.
The technical flaw manifests in the device's authentication mechanism where session identifiers are generated using insufficient randomization techniques. Attackers can exploit this weakness by analyzing session key patterns and predicting valid session tokens that grant administrative access to the device's web interface. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-330, which addresses the use of insufficiently random values in security contexts. The predictable nature of these session keys means that an attacker with network access can systematically guess valid session identifiers without requiring brute force attacks that would normally be computationally expensive. The vulnerability enables a complete compromise of the device's administrative functions, allowing attackers to modify network settings, change passwords, and potentially gain access to the broader network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it represents a significant threat to network security and integrity. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain full administrative control over the Wi-Fi range extender, potentially using it as a pivot point to attack other devices on the same network segment. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1046 for network service scanning. The compromised device can become a persistent threat within the network, enabling attackers to maintain long-term access and potentially escalate privileges to other network components. The vulnerability affects the device's ability to provide secure wireless connectivity and undermines the trust model that users expect from network infrastructure equipment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve firmware updates from TP-Link to address the predictable session key implementation. Organizations should immediately deploy the updated firmware version v6_200923 which includes proper cryptographic session key generation mechanisms. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls such as network segmentation, access control lists, and monitoring for suspicious session activity. The implementation of network access control measures can help detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts even if session keys are compromised. Security best practices recommend changing default credentials and implementing strong authentication mechanisms for all network devices. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper cryptographic implementation in embedded network devices and serves as a reminder of the critical need for secure session management in IoT and networking equipment. The incident also underscores the necessity for regular security assessments and firmware updates to protect against known vulnerabilities that could compromise network infrastructure.