CVE-2022-41541 in AX10v1
Summary
by MITRE • 10/18/2022
TP-Link AX10v1 V1_211117 allows attackers to execute a replay attack by using a previously transmitted encrypted authentication message and valid authentication token. Attackers are able to login to the web application as an admin user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-41541 affects TP-Link AX10v1 routers running firmware version V1_211117, representing a critical authentication flaw that enables unauthorized administrative access through replay attack techniques. This vulnerability resides within the web application authentication mechanism of the network device, specifically in how it handles encrypted authentication messages and valid authentication tokens. The flaw allows attackers to capture legitimate authentication traffic and reuse it to establish administrative sessions without possessing valid credentials, fundamentally compromising the device's access control security model. The vulnerability directly impacts the integrity of the authentication process by failing to implement proper session validation mechanisms that would detect and prevent the reuse of previously valid authentication tokens.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate session management and token validation procedures within the router's web interface. When legitimate users authenticate to the device, the system generates authentication tokens that should be unique, time-bound, and bound to specific sessions or transactions. However, the TP-Link AX10v1 firmware fails to properly validate these tokens against replay attacks, allowing attackers to capture encrypted authentication messages during legitimate sessions and replay them to establish unauthorized administrative access. This represents a classic session replay vulnerability that violates fundamental security principles of authentication systems and demonstrates poor adherence to secure coding practices as outlined in CWE-319. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web application layer of the device, where authentication tokens are processed and validated, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses traditional authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with full administrative privileges over affected TP-Link AX10v1 routers. Once an attacker successfully executes a replay attack, they gain complete control over the network device, including the ability to modify network settings, configure firewall rules, change administrator credentials, access network traffic, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. This vulnerability affects not only the device itself but also the entire network infrastructure it protects, as routers serve as critical network boundary devices. The impact extends to compliance requirements and security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53, which mandates proper authentication and session management controls, making this vulnerability a significant concern for organizations implementing cybersecurity frameworks. The ease with which attackers can exploit this vulnerability through captured network traffic makes it particularly dangerous in environments where network monitoring is insufficient.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-41541 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from TP-Link to address the underlying authentication implementation flaws. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential compromise, ensuring that administrative interfaces are not directly accessible from untrusted networks. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual authentication patterns and repeated authentication attempts that may indicate replay attack activity. Security teams should also consider implementing additional authentication layers such as two-factor authentication where possible, and regularly audit authentication logs for suspicious activity. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper session management as defined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, demonstrating how authentication bypass vulnerabilities can enable broader attack chains. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control policies that restrict administrative access to critical network devices and maintain up-to-date inventory of all networked devices to quickly identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their infrastructure.