CVE-2017-8218 : Security Advisory and Response

TP-Link C2 and C20i devices have hidden administrative, guest, and test accounts with default passwords, posing a security risk.

Understanding CVE-2017-8218

This CVE highlights a backdoor admin account with a default password on TP-Link C2 and C20i devices.

What is CVE-2017-8218?

The TP-Link C2 and C20i devices are found to have hidden accounts with preset passwords, making them vulnerable to unauthorized access.

The Impact of CVE-2017-8218

The presence of these hidden accounts with default passwords can lead to unauthorized access, compromising the security and privacy of the affected devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-8218

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The devices run firmware version 0.9.1 4.2 v0032.0 Build 160706 Rel.37961n, containing hidden administrative, guest, and test accounts with default passwords.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: TP-Link C2 and C20i devices
Firmware Version: 0.9.1 4.2 v0032.0 Build 160706 Rel.37961n

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the hidden accounts with default passwords to gain unauthorized access to the devices.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting against CVE-2017-8218 involves immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Change default passwords for all accounts on TP-Link C2 and C20i devices.
Disable or remove any unnecessary accounts to reduce the attack surface.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong password policies and multi-factor authentication to enhance security.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the devices are running the latest firmware updates provided by TP-Link to address this vulnerability.