ZDI-20-553: TP-Link TL-WA855RE login.json Improper Authentication Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of TP-Link TL-WA855RE Wi-Fi extenders. Although authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability, the existing authentication mechanism can be bypassed. The specific flaw exists within the first-time setup process. The issue results from the lack of proper validation on first-time setup requests. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to reset the password for the Admin account and execute code in the context of the device.
| Affected Software | Affected Version | How to fix |
|---|---|---|
| TP-Link TL-WA855RE |
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Reference Links
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of ZDI-20-553?
The severity of ZDI-20-553 is considered to be high due to its potential for privilege escalation.
How do I fix ZDI-20-553?
To fix ZDI-20-553, update the TP-Link TL-WA855RE Wi-Fi extender to the latest firmware provided by TP-Link.
What type of attack does ZDI-20-553 involve?
ZDI-20-553 involves privilege escalation attacks that can be executed by network-adjacent attackers.
Is authentication required to exploit ZDI-20-553?
Yes, authentication is required to exploit ZDI-20-553, but the existing mechanism can be bypassed.
What is affected by the ZDI-20-553 vulnerability?
The ZDI-20-553 vulnerability affects TP-Link TL-WA855RE Wi-Fi extenders.
- collector/zdi-advisory
- alias/ZDI-20-553
- alias/ZDI-CAN-10003
- alias/CVE-2020-10916
- agent/tags
- agent/description
- agent/event
- agent/references
- agent/title
- agent/severity
- agent/type
- agent/softwarecombine
- vendor/tp-link
- canonical/tp-link tl-wa855re