CVE-2022-29395
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability is a stack overflow in TOTOLINK N600R routers that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the apcliKey parameter in the setWiFiRepeaterConfig function. Attackers can potentially take full control of affected devices. This affects users of TOTOLINK N600R routers with vulnerable firmware versions.
💻 Affected Systems
- TOTOLINK N600R
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete device compromise leading to persistent backdoor installation, network traffic interception, lateral movement to other devices, and participation in botnets.
Likely Case
Remote code execution allowing attackers to modify router settings, intercept traffic, or use the device as a foothold for further attacks.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if devices are behind firewalls with strict inbound filtering and network segmentation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Public proof-of-concept available on GitHub. Exploitation requires sending crafted HTTP requests to the vulnerable endpoint.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Unknown
Vendor Advisory: Unknown
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
Check TOTOLINK official website for firmware updates. If available, download and install via web interface: Login > System Tools > Firmware Upgrade > Browse > Upload > Upgrade.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Remote Management
allPrevent external access to the web management interface
Network Segmentation
allIsolate vulnerable routers from critical network segments
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Replace vulnerable devices with supported models
- Implement strict firewall rules blocking all inbound traffic to router management interfaces
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check firmware version via web interface: Login > Status > Device Info. If version is V4.3.0cu.7647_B20210106 or earlier, device is likely vulnerable.Check Version:
curl -s http://router-ip/status.asp | grep -i versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version has been updated to a version later than V4.3.0cu.7647_B20210106📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual HTTP POST requests to /cgi-bin/cstecgi.cgi with large apcliKey parameter
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful exploitation
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from router to unknown IPs
- Traffic patterns indicating command and control communication
SIEM Query:
source="router-logs" AND (uri="/cgi-bin/cstecgi.cgi" AND method="POST" AND size>1000) OR (process="httpd" AND args CONTAINS "apcliKey")