CVE-2025-6982 is a vulnerability identified in TP-Link System Inc.'s Archer C50 router models V3 (<=180703), V4 (<=250117), and V5 (<=200407). The root cause is the presence of hard-coded credentials embedded within the device firmware, classified under CWE-798. These credentials enable attackers who have local network access and low privileges (PR:L) to decrypt the router's config.xml files, which typically contain sensitive configuration information such as network settings, passwords, and possibly keys. The vulnerability does not require user interaction (UI:N) and does not allow privilege escalation or impact availability, but it compromises confidentiality (VC:H) significantly. The attack vector is adjacent network (AV:A), meaning the attacker must be on the same local or wireless network segment. The vulnerability is rated medium severity with a CVSS 4.0 score of 6.9, reflecting the balance between ease of exploitation and impact. No patches or firmware updates are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild. The vulnerability could be leveraged to gain insights into network configurations, facilitating further attacks such as unauthorized access, lateral movement, or persistent compromise.

For European organizations, this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive router configuration data, potentially exposing network credentials and internal topology. This exposure can facilitate further attacks such as man-in-the-middle, network intrusion, or persistent access by adversaries. Organizations relying on TP-Link Archer C50 routers in office or industrial environments may face increased risk of network compromise. The confidentiality breach could affect data privacy compliance under GDPR if personal or sensitive data is indirectly exposed through network compromise. Additionally, critical infrastructure or enterprises using these routers as part of their network edge could experience operational risks if attackers manipulate configurations. The medium severity indicates a moderate but tangible risk, especially in environments where local network access controls are weak or where these devices are deployed in sensitive contexts.

1. Immediately identify and inventory all TP-Link Archer C50 V3, V4, and V5 devices within the network. 2. Apply any available firmware updates from TP-Link that address hard-coded credentials or related vulnerabilities as soon as they are released. 3. If no patch is available, consider replacing affected devices with models not vulnerable to this issue. 4. Restrict local network access to trusted personnel and devices only, implementing strong network segmentation to isolate router management interfaces. 5. Disable remote management features unless strictly necessary and secured. 6. Change default and hard-coded credentials where possible, or implement additional authentication layers such as VPNs for management access. 7. Monitor network traffic for unusual access patterns to router configuration files or management interfaces. 8. Conduct regular security audits and penetration tests focusing on router and network device security. 9. Educate network administrators about the risks of hard-coded credentials and the importance of secure device configuration. 10. Implement network intrusion detection systems capable of alerting on suspicious activities targeting router configurations.