A Deep Dive Into Attempted Exploitation of CVE-2023
Mirai-like botnet scans exploit TP-Link EOL router flaw CVE-2023-33538 after CISA KEV addition, though observed exploit code is flawed.
Unit 42 observed large-scale automated scans attempting to exploit CVE-2023-33538 in end-of-life TP-Link TL-WR940N, TL-WR740N and TL-WR841N routers after CISA added the flaw to its KEV catalog in June 2025. HTTP GET requests inject commands via the ssid1 parameter at the /userRpm/WlanNetworkRpm endpoint to download and execute an arm7 ELF binary, a Mirai variant related to the Condi IoT botnet. Firmware emulation and reverse engineering showed the observed exploits are flawed and would fail, but the underlying vulnerability is real and successful exploitation requires authentication to the router's web interface. TP-Link confirmed the devices are end-of-life with no patches available and recommends replacing units and eliminating default credentials.
TP-Link Cameras 0-Day Vulnerabilities Allow Attackers to Spy on Users
Two zero-day flaws in TP-Link Tapo C200 cameras allowed authentication bypass and denial-of-service; fixed in firmware V5_1.4.6.
OPSWAT researchers Khoi Tran and Thai Do found CVE-2026-15315, an authentication bypass in the Tapo C200's local HTTPS interface that lets network-adjacent attackers replay an authentication value to gain administrator access, and CVE-2026-15316, an unauthenticated denial-of-service in the Wi-Fi onboarding process that crashes the camera's HTTPS service. TP-Link was notified on April 16, 2026, confirmed the flaws on July 10, and released patches on August 18, 2026 in firmware V5_1.4.6. Exploitation requires local network access but no valid account, existing session, or user interaction, exposing live feeds and stored recordings to surveillance risk.