CVE-2025-6982 is a vulnerability identified in TP-Link System Inc.'s Archer C50 router models V3 (up to firmware version 180703), V4 (up to 250117), and V5 (up to 200407). The issue stems from the use of hard-coded credentials within the device's firmware, classified under CWE-798. These embedded credentials enable attackers to decrypt the router's config.xml files, which typically contain sensitive configuration data including network settings, passwords, and potentially other security parameters. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely with low attack complexity and does not require user interaction, but it does require low-level privileges (PR:L), indicating that an attacker must have some limited access to the device or network to exploit it. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.9 (medium severity), reflecting a significant confidentiality impact due to the exposure of sensitive configuration data, while integrity and availability impacts are not present. The vulnerability does not require authentication (AT:N) for exploitation, which increases its risk profile. No known exploits are currently in the wild, and no patches have been released at the time of publication. The presence of hard-coded credentials is a critical design flaw that undermines the security of the device, allowing attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and access encrypted configuration files, potentially leading to further compromise or network infiltration.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a notable risk especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and home office environments that commonly deploy consumer-grade TP-Link Archer C50 routers. The ability to decrypt configuration files can expose Wi-Fi passwords, VPN credentials, and other network configurations, facilitating unauthorized network access and lateral movement within corporate or home networks. This can lead to data breaches, interception of sensitive communications, and potential insertion of malicious configurations or backdoors. Given the widespread use of TP-Link devices in Europe due to their affordability and availability, the vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to compromise network security silently. The lack of patches increases the window of exposure. Additionally, since the vulnerability does not require user interaction, automated scanning and exploitation by attackers are feasible, increasing the threat surface. Organizations relying on these devices for critical connectivity may face operational disruptions if attackers leverage this vulnerability to manipulate device configurations or conduct further attacks.

Organizations should immediately inventory their network infrastructure to identify the presence of TP-Link Archer C50 V3, V4, and V5 routers. Until official patches are released, the following specific mitigations are recommended: 1) Replace affected devices with models from vendors with a stronger security track record or updated firmware; 2) Restrict network access to router management interfaces by implementing strict firewall rules and network segmentation to limit exposure to trusted administrators only; 3) Disable remote management features on these routers to prevent external exploitation; 4) Monitor network traffic for unusual access patterns or attempts to retrieve configuration files; 5) Change default and known credentials on all network devices to unique, strong passwords; 6) Employ network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) tuned to detect attempts to exploit hard-coded credential vulnerabilities; 7) Engage with TP-Link support channels to obtain updates on patch availability and apply firmware updates promptly once released. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying network access control (NAC) solutions to prevent unauthorized devices from connecting to critical network segments.