CVE-2022-46025 in N200RE v5
Summary
by MITRE • 01/10/2024
Totolink N200RE_V5 V9.3.5u.6255_B20211224 is vulnerable to Incorrect Access Control. The device allows remote attackers to obtain Wi-Fi system information, such as Wi-Fi SSID and Wi-Fi password, without logging into the management page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-46025 affects the Totolink N200RE_V5 wireless router model running firmware version V9.3.5u.6255_B20211224 and represents a critical access control flaw that compromises the security of wireless network configurations. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-284 category of Improper Access Control, which specifically addresses insufficient access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to gain access to resources they should not be able to access. The device's failure to properly authenticate remote attackers before exposing sensitive wireless network information demonstrates a fundamental weakness in its security architecture that directly violates security best practices and industry standards.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the router's web interface failing to enforce proper authentication mechanisms for accessing wireless configuration parameters. Attackers can exploit this flaw by directly accessing specific endpoints within the device's web application without requiring valid credentials or administrative privileges. The vulnerability specifically allows unauthorized individuals to retrieve critical wireless network information including the SSID broadcast identifier and the corresponding wireless password through unauthenticated API calls or direct URL access patterns. This represents a severe breakdown in the device's security model where sensitive configuration data is exposed to anyone who can reach the device over the network, regardless of their authorization status.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the complete wireless network credentials necessary for unauthorized access to the protected network. Network administrators who rely on the router's default security posture may unknowingly expose their entire wireless infrastructure to compromise, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access points, conduct man-in-the-middle attacks, or use the compromised network as a launching pad for further network exploration. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1566 Phishing, as it enables attackers to gather network intelligence without requiring traditional reconnaissance or social engineering approaches. The exposure of wireless credentials also creates opportunities for credential stuffing attacks against other systems that may share similar authentication mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-46025 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from the vendor to address the underlying access control implementation flaws. Network administrators should implement additional network segmentation measures to limit the exposure of critical network devices to unauthorized users, including firewall rules that restrict access to router management interfaces from external networks. The implementation of network access control lists and the deployment of intrusion detection systems can help identify and block unauthorized access attempts to the vulnerable device. Organizations should also consider conducting regular security assessments of their network infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network devices, as this type of improper access control flaw is often present in legacy or poorly configured network equipment. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and authentication enforcement in web applications, aligning with security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 controls that emphasize access control and information security management.