Credential disclosure via cleartext flash storage
Published Mar 26, 2026 · Updated Mar 26, 2026
Cleartext credential storage in TP-Link TL-WR850N v3 before V3_0.9.1 Build251205 allows physically proximate attackers to recover secrets. The firmware leaves administrative and Wi-Fi credentials unencrypted in flash while an enabled serial interface relies on weak authentication. Physical access and a serial connection are required; recovered management and wireless keys enable device administration and network access.
Summary
What happened
Cleartext credential storage in TP-Link TL-WR850N v3 before V3_0.9.1 Build251205 allows physically proximate attackers to recover secrets. The firmware leaves administrative and Wi-Fi credentials unencrypted in flash while an enabled serial interface relies on weak authentication. Physical access and a serial connection are required; recovered management and wireless keys enable device administration and network access.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-4346
- Published
- Mar 26, 2026
- Updated
- Mar 26, 2026
- Vendor
- TP-Link Systems Inc.
- Product
- TL-WR850N
- Classifications
- CWE-312, T1552
- Attack vector
- physical
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Mar 26, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Mar 26, 2026Record 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.
- Affected versionversion=0 <V3_0.9.1 Build251205
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
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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