CVE-2021-41653 is a critical vulnerability found in the PING function of the TP-Link TL-WR840N EU v5 router. This vulnerability allows remote code execution via a crafted payload in an IP address input field. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.8, indicating a high severity level that requires immediate attention from affected organizations.
The vulnerability has the potential to significantly impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems. Given its exploitability, organizations using this router must prioritize remediation efforts to prevent unauthorized access and control.
As of now, this vulnerability is not listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog; however, exploit information is available, indicating the possibility of active exploitation. Organizations should address this vulnerability during their next patch cycle to enhance their security posture.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The urgency to remediate this vulnerability cannot be overstated, as attackers may leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to the network.
Vulnerability Details
The PING function on the TP-Link TL-WR840N EU v5 router with firmware through TL-WR840N(EU)_V5_171211 is vulnerable to remote code execution via a crafted payload in an IP address input field. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-94, which pertains to code injection.
This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 9.8, reflecting its critical nature. The attack vector is network-based, with low attack complexity and no privileges or user interaction required. This makes it particularly dangerous, as it can be exploited by an attacker without any special conditions.
The vulnerability was published on November 13, 2021, and has been modified since then. Organizations using the affected firmware must take this risk seriously and act swiftly to mitigate it.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in inadequate input validation within the PING function of the router's firmware. Attackers can exploit this flaw by sending specially crafted packets containing malicious payloads.
The attack vector is network-based, meaning the attacker does not need physical access to the device. The complexity of the attack is low, and no privileges or user interaction are required. The vulnerability has significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as it allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code remotely.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive data and critical systems. The blast radius of this vulnerability could extend to any network segment accessible from the vulnerable router, posing a significant threat to the overall security posture of the organization.
Given its critical CVSS score, it is imperative for organizations to assess their exposure to this vulnerability and take necessary steps to remediate it during their next patch cycle. Failure to address this could lead to severe operational disruptions and data breaches.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected product is the TP-Link TL-WR840N firmware, specifically versions up to TL-WR840N(EU)_V5_171211. Organizations should ensure they are using the latest firmware to mitigate this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should update the TP-Link TL-WR840N firmware to the latest version available. If a patch is not available, consider implementing network controls to restrict access to the device and monitor for anomalous behavior.
For further assistance in securing your applications and systems, organizations may benefit from engaging in penetration testing to identify potential vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any unusual activity related to the router, particularly around the PING function. Behavioral anomalies such as unexpected traffic patterns or unauthorized access attempts should be prioritized for further investigation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-41653 lies in its demonstration of the potential risks associated with inadequate input validation in network devices. Security teams should learn from this incident to enhance their defensive strategies against similar vulnerabilities in the future.
For comprehensive security assessments, organizations are encouraged to engage with application security assessments to uncover latent vulnerabilities that may not be immediately apparent.
Additionally, organizations should consider adopting a proactive approach through continuous penetration testing to regularly evaluate their security posture and address emerging threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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