CVE-2024-57050 Scanner

The TP-LINK WR840N is widely used in homes and small offices for Wi-Fi connectivity. It is often deployed by individuals and small businesses looking for a compact and budget-friendly router solution. The device is valued for its ease of setup and user-friendly interface, which makes it accessible for non-technical users. Its firmware supports basic network management functionalities, catering to users who need standard wireless access. The router is commonly connected to home networks to ensure internet access for multiple devices. However, it is essential to keep the firmware updated due to potential vulnerabilities like improper authentication.

Improper Authentication vulnerabilities occur when protection mechanisms that require user verification fail to be enforced, allowing unauthorized access. In this case, attackers can bypass authentication by exploiting a flaw in the HTTP request header. The specific vulnerability in the TP-LINK WR840N allows bypassing the authentication process by manipulating HTTP requests to particular interfaces under the /cgi directory. Attackers gain unauthorized access without needing the correct credentials, which poses a significant security risk for device users.

The technical issue lies in the router's firmware, where the HTTP request's header when altered recognizes unauthenticated requests as legitimate. Specifically, adding a Referer header with a specific value can trick the router into providing access. This vulnerability exists on the endpoint /cgi/getParm, where improper validation of incoming requests enables this flaw. Additionally, certain response conditions confirm the bypass, including specific words in the response body and content type checks. This highlights an oversight in the router's security model related to HTTP header validation.

When exploited, malicious actors can gain unauthorized access to sensitive configurations and possibly the entire network managed by the TP-LINK WR840N router. This disruption could lead to data interception, configuration changes, or complete network compromise. Users' network activities become vulnerable to eavesdropping, and sensitive data may be exposed or altered. Additionally, attackers might leverage this vulnerability to execute further attacks or pivot within a connected network environment.

REFERENCES

• https://github.com/Shuanunio/CVE_Requests/blob/main/TP-Link/WR840N%%%%20v6/ACL%%%%20bypass%%%%20Vulnerability%%%%20in%%%%20TP-Link%%%%20TL-WR840N.md
• https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-57050