Code execution via unsigned HTTP firmware replacement
Published Dec 20, 2022 · Updated Apr 16, 2025
Firmware integrity failure in TP-Link TL-WR743ND V1 3.12.20 and earlier allows attackers to flash code via an intercepted HTTP upload. The upgradeFirmware path accepts attacker-recalculated MD5 header checksums as integrity proof and performs no signature verification on firmware delivered over HTTP. A man-in-the-middle position and user-initiated firmware update are required; a substituted image can install malware or backdoors or leave the router inoperable.
Summary
What happened
Firmware integrity failure in TP-Link TL-WR743ND V1 3.12.20 and earlier allows attackers to flash code via an intercepted HTTP upload. The upgradeFirmware path accepts attacker-recalculated MD5 header checksums as integrity proof and performs no signature verification on firmware delivered over HTTP. A man-in-the-middle position and user-initiated firmware update are required; a substituted image can install malware or backdoors or leave the router inoperable.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-46432
- Published
- Dec 20, 2022
- Updated
- Apr 16, 2025
- Vendor
- Unknown vendor
- Product
- Unknown product
- Classifications
- T1557, T1601
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Dec 20, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 16, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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What is affected?
Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.
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.
Public exploit references
- Firmware modification proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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