CVE-2022-34572 in WiFi-Repeater
Summary
by MITRE • 07/26/2022
An access control issue in Wavlink WiFi-Repeater RPTA2-77W.M4300.01.GD.2017Sep19 allows attackers to obtain the telnet password via accessing the page tftp.txt.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-34572 represents a critical access control flaw within the Wavlink WiFi-Repeater model RPTA2-77W.M4300.01.GD.2017Sep19 firmware. This issue stems from improper authorization mechanisms that allow unauthenticated attackers to retrieve sensitive administrative credentials through a specifically crafted web request. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker accesses the tftp.txt page, which contains the telnet password in plain text format, thereby undermining the device's security posture and exposing it to unauthorized remote access. The flaw directly violates fundamental security principles by failing to implement proper authentication checks before exposing privileged information.
This access control weakness falls under the CWE-284 category of Improper Access Control, specifically targeting the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. The vulnerability enables attackers to escalate their privileges from unauthenticated users to administrative level access, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors. The tftp.txt file serves as an unintended information disclosure vector, where credentials are stored without adequate protection mechanisms. The device's firmware fails to implement proper input validation and access restriction controls, allowing any network-connected attacker to obtain administrative credentials simply by accessing a specific URL endpoint. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which describes legitimate credentials usage through default credentials or credential exposure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with persistent remote access capabilities to the affected wireless repeater. Once an attacker obtains the telnet password, they can establish persistent connections to the device, potentially using it as a foothold for further network infiltration. The compromised device becomes vulnerable to various attack vectors including but not limited to command injection, configuration modification, and network traffic interception. The exposure of telnet credentials creates a backdoor that can be exploited for extended periods without detection, as the device continues to operate normally while serving as an attacker-controlled node within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise and residential networks where wireless repeaters are deployed, as these devices often serve as network extension points and may be located in physically accessible areas.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-34572 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from the vendor to address the access control flaw. Network administrators must disable unnecessary services including telnet and enable SSH for secure remote access instead. The implementation of network segmentation and access control lists can limit the exposure of affected devices to unauthorized network segments. Regular security audits should verify that no sensitive information is exposed through web interfaces, and that proper authentication mechanisms are enforced for all administrative functions. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for suspicious access patterns to tftp.txt or similar endpoints can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure configuration practices and proper input validation, as outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001. Organizations should also implement continuous vulnerability scanning to identify similar access control issues in other network devices and firmware versions.