CVE-2022-29402Public exploit

Root command execution via unprotected UART console

Published May 25, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Missing authentication in the TP-Link TL-WR840N EU 5 and 6.20 UART console allows physically proximate attackers to execute root commands. The enabled UART interface accepts a 115200-baud serial connection and presents an interactive root shell without requesting a password. Physical access to the router and a serial adapter are required; successful access grants complete control of the device through root commands.

CVSS severity6.8
Medium
EPSS probability0.42%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Missing authentication in the TP-Link TL-WR840N EU 5 and 6.20 UART console allows physically proximate attackers to execute root commands. The enabled UART interface accepts a 115200-baud serial connection and presents an interactive root shell without requesting a password. Physical access to the router and a serial adapter are required; successful access grants complete control of the device through root commands.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-29402
Published
May 25, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-306, T1059
Attack vector
physical
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 25, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorphysical
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

6.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.2NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
6.8MITRECVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorphysical
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-306Missing Authentication for Critical Function
T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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