CVE-2022-41783 in RE300
Summary
by MITRE • 12/07/2022
tdpServer of TP-Link RE300 V1 improperly processes its input, which may allow an attacker to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition of the product's OneMesh function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-41783 affects the tdpServer component within TP-Link RE300 V1 routers, specifically impacting the OneMesh networking functionality. This issue represents a classic input validation flaw that can be exploited to disrupt normal operational conditions. The tdpServer serves as a critical daemon responsible for managing mesh networking communications between TP-Link devices, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to compromise network connectivity. The vulnerability manifests when the server fails to properly sanitize or validate incoming data inputs, creating opportunities for malformed packets or unexpected data sequences to trigger system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input processing mechanisms within the tdpServer daemon. When the system receives improperly formatted data through the mesh networking interface, the server's handling routines fail to properly validate or reject malicious inputs, leading to potential buffer overflows, memory corruption, or state machine failures. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-20, which specifically addresses improper input validation, and represents a common vector for denial-of-service attacks in embedded networking devices. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where network protocols are processed, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard mesh networking communication patterns without requiring specialized access privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-41783 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire mesh network topologies. When exploited, the denial-of-service condition affects the OneMesh function, which is fundamental to TP-Link's mesh networking ecosystem. This can result in complete loss of connectivity between mesh nodes, forcing users to manually restart devices or reconfigure their network topology. Network administrators may experience extended downtime as the affected routers become unresponsive to mesh communication protocols, potentially affecting multiple devices within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in environments where mesh networking is critical for maintaining consistent wireless coverage, such as large residential complexes or enterprise office spaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-41783 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from TP-Link, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing the input validation issues. Network administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on mesh networking protocols and communication between router nodes. Network segmentation can help limit the impact of successful exploitation by isolating affected mesh networks from critical infrastructure. Additionally, implementing rate limiting and input filtering at network boundaries can provide defense-in-depth measures against potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling mesh networking features temporarily if immediate updates are not available, while maintaining awareness of the ATT&CK framework's T1499 technique for network disruption, which encompasses denial-of-service attacks targeting network infrastructure components.