Hard-coded AES key in TP-Link RE305 and Archer C7 backup encryption
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · None · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-321.
Summary
TP-Link RE305 v3 and Archer C7 v5 embed a fixed AES-128 key and initialization vector in the firmware configuration-management component that protects user-configuration backups (CWE-321). An attacker who obtains an affected backup file can extract the key and IV from the firmware and decrypt the backup, exposing administrator passwords and Wi-Fi credentials.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-04
Description from the CNA
A hard-coded cryptographic key vulnerability exists in the user-configuration backup mechanism of TP-Link RE305 V3 and Archer C7 V5. A fixed AES-128 key and initialization vector are embedded in the firmware configuration-management component. An attacker who obtains an affected configuration backup file may extract the cryptographic material from the firmware and use it to decrypt the backup. Successful exploitation may disclose sensitive configuration information contained in a backup file, including administrator passwords and Wi-Fi credentials.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
Install 1.1.8 Build 20260921 Rel. 42853 on RE305 v3 and 1.3.1 Build 20260821 Rel. 41256 on Archer C7 v5.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-04
- Fix · CNA RE305 v3 (TP-Link Systems Inc.) Fixed in 1.1.8 Build 20260921 Rel. 42853
- Fix · CNA Archer C7 v5 (TP-Link Systems Inc.) Fixed in 1.3.1 Build 20260821 Rel. 41256
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Release ·
TP-Link Systems RE305 v3 1.1.8 Build 20260921 Rel. 42853
5 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 4 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2026-81493 Authentication weakness in TP-Link RE305 TDDP v2 allows root command executionPriority MEDIUM 40
- TI-2026-81494 Command injection in TP-Link RE305 tmpServer grants root accessPriority LOW 33
- TI-2026-81492 Weak reset code lets attackers reset TP-Link RE305 admin passwordPriority LOW 27
Timeline
- 2026-10-27 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-102812
- 2026-10-27 Alias added: GHSA-xgv8-3vj8-53q7
- 2026-10-28 Priority changed: MEDIUM → LOW
- 2026-11-04 CISA SSVC decision points changed
References
Patch 4
More TP-Link vulnerabilities
- TI-2023-16571 TP-Link TL-WR940N V2/V4, TL-WR841N V8/V10, and TL-WR740N V1/V2 was discovered to contain… KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2023-01313 Command injection in TP-Link Archer AX21 KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2020-14907 TP-Link TL-WA855RE V5 20200415-rel37464 devices allow an unauthenticated attacker (on the… KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2025-08589 Authenticated RCE via Parental Control command injection KEVCVSS 4.0HIGH 8.6
- TI-2015-02672 Directory traversal vulnerability in TP-LINK Archer C5 (1.2) with firmware before 150317… KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2023-27456 Authentication bypass by spoofing in TP-Link TL-WR841N KEVCVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.5
Sources
- CVE-2026-102812 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-102812 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-xgv8-3vj8-53q7 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences