CVE-2022-45439 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2022-45439 involving spare WiFi credentials stored in cleartext in Zyxel AX7501-B0 firmware, leading to unauthorized WLAN access. Understand the impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
A pair of spare WiFi credentials is stored in the configuration file of the Zyxel AX7501-B0 firmware prior to V5.17(ABPC.3)C0 in cleartext. This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to access the WLAN service using the retrieved credentials.
Understanding CVE-2022-45439
This section will cover the details of CVE-2022-45439, its impact, technical description, affected systems, exploitation, mitigation, and prevention mechanisms.
What is CVE-2022-45439?
The vulnerability involves the cleartext storage of spare WiFi credentials in the Zyxel AX7501-B0 firmware, enabling unauthorized access to the WLAN service.
The Impact of CVE-2022-45439
With a CVSS base score of 5.3 (Medium), this vulnerability poses a high risk to confidentiality as attackers can extract sensitive WiFi credentials from the configuration file.
Technical Details of CVE-2022-45439
The following section will delve into the technical aspects of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
The Zyxel AX7501-B0 firmware before V5.17(ABPC.3)C0 stores spare WiFi credentials in cleartext in the configuration file, a security flaw that could lead to unauthorized WLAN access.
Affected Systems and Versions
The affected system is the Zyxel AX7501-B0 firmware versions prior to V5.17(ABPC.3)C0.
Exploitation Mechanism
An unauthenticated attacker can leverage an already known vulnerability to retrieve the configuration file from the device and exploit the cleartext WiFi credentials for WLAN access.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section provides insights into mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2022-45439 and implementing preventive measures.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update the Zyxel AX7501-B0 firmware to version V5.17(ABPC.3)C0 or newer to eliminate the vulnerability and secure the WiFi credentials.
Long-Term Security Practices
Regularly review security advisories from Zyxel and apply firmware updates promptly to protect against emerging vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security patches and updates released by Zyxel to ensure the ongoing security of the AX7501-B0 firmware.