CVE-2023-1833 in Redline
Summary
by MITRE • 04/14/2023
Authentication Bypass by Primary Weakness vulnerability in DTS Electronics Redline Router firmware allows Authentication Bypass.This issue affects Redline Router: before 7.17.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1833 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the DTS Electronics Redline Router firmware ecosystem. This weakness stems from a primary design flaw that fundamentally compromises the router's ability to properly authenticate users attempting to access administrative functions. The vulnerability specifically impacts all Redline Router models running firmware versions prior to 7.17, creating a persistent security gap that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to network infrastructure. The authentication bypass occurs at a foundational level, allowing attackers to circumvent the normal security controls that should protect administrative interfaces and network configuration settings.
The technical nature of this flaw manifests as a failure in the authentication mechanism that should validate user credentials before granting access to privileged functions. This weakness enables unauthorized individuals to access the router's administrative console without proper authentication, potentially allowing them to modify network configurations, install malicious software, or establish backdoors within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and could be classified under CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, while also aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1021 for remote services. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor that bypasses the normal authentication flow, making it particularly dangerous for network security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can lead to complete network compromise and data exfiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can manipulate network traffic, redirect connections, and potentially establish persistent access points within the network. The affected firmware versions represent a significant attack surface that could be leveraged to compromise enterprise networks, small business infrastructures, or residential networks that rely on these routers. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple firmware versions indicates a systemic security issue that requires immediate remediation to prevent exploitation by threat actors who may be actively targeting this specific weakness.
Organizations utilizing DTS Electronics Redline Router models should prioritize immediate firmware updates to version 7.17 or later to address this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive network monitoring to detect any anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit the potential damage from any successful exploitation. Security teams should also conduct thorough network audits to identify any unauthorized access or configuration changes that might have occurred during the vulnerability's active period. The remediation process must include verification that the updated firmware properly implements authentication controls and that no unauthorized modifications have been made to the router's configuration.