CVE-2022-37841 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2022-37841, a vulnerability found in TOTOLINK A860R V4.1.2cu.5182_B20201027 that exposes a hardcoded password in /etc/shadow.sample.

Understanding CVE-2022-37841

CVE-2022-37841 is a security flaw identified in TOTOLINK A860R V4.1.2cu.5182_B20201027, leading to a hardcoded root password exposure.

What is CVE-2022-37841?

The vulnerability allows unauthorized users to access the root account due to a hardcoded password present in the /etc/shadow.sample file of the affected device.

The Impact of CVE-2022-37841

This vulnerability poses a significant security risk as malicious actors can potentially exploit the hardcoded root password to gain unauthorized access to the device, compromising its integrity and confidentiality.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-37841

The following technical details outline the specifics of CVE-2022-37841.

Vulnerability Description

TOTOLINK A860R V4.1.2cu.5182_B20201027 contains a hardcoded root password in the /etc/shadow.sample file, leaving the device vulnerable to unauthorized access.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects TOTOLINK A860R V4.1.2cu.5182_B20201027 specifically.

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized users can exploit the hardcoded root password in /etc/shadow.sample to gain root access on the affected device.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2022-37841 and enhance security measures, the following steps are recommended.

Immediate Steps to Take

Change the root password on the affected TOTOLINK A860R V4.1.2cu.5182_B20201027 device to a strong, unique password.
Limit network access to the device to trusted sources only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and software to address security vulnerabilities promptly.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to restrict unauthorized access to critical devices.

Patching and Updates

Refer to the vendor's security advisory for patches or updates to remediate the hardcoded root password issue in TOTOLINK A860R V4.1.2cu.5182_B20201027.