CVE-2022-45439

Unauthorized WLAN access via cleartext spare credentials

Published Jan 17, 2023 · Updated Apr 3, 2025

Cleartext credential storage in Zyxel AX7501-B0 firmware before V5.17(ABPC.3)C0 allows local users to access the WLAN service. The device configuration file records a pair of spare WiFi credentials without encryption, exposing reusable WLAN authentication secrets. Exploitation requires an attacker to obtain that configuration file through another vulnerability; the disclosed consequence is unauthorized WLAN access.

CVSS severity6.5
Medium
EPSS probability0.20%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Cleartext credential storage in Zyxel AX7501-B0 firmware before V5.17(ABPC.3)C0 allows local users to access the WLAN service. The device configuration file records a pair of spare WiFi credentials without encryption, exposing reusable WLAN authentication secrets. Exploitation requires an attacker to obtain that configuration file through another vulnerability; the disclosed consequence is unauthorized WLAN access.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-45439
Published
Jan 17, 2023
Updated
Apr 3, 2025
Vendor
Zyxel Networks
Product
AX7501-B0 Firmware
Classifications
CWE-312, T1552.001
Attack vector
adjacent
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 17, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 3, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=< V5.17(ABPC.3)C0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectoradjacent
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Zyxel Networks · AX7501-B0 Firmwareversion=< V5.17(ABPC.3)C0

Published CVSS scores

6.5Zyxel CorporationCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

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No observations available

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

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-312Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information
T1552.001Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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