Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessGain low-privilege shell access
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DeliveryRead /etc/shadow file
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ExploitAuthenticate as root using 'blinkadmin'
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ExecutionModify firmware or install backdoor
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PersistPersist across reboots
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ImpactIntercept traffic or pivot to LAN
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A07:2025 - Authentication Failures
ASVS 5.0
V6 - Authentication No hard-coded passwords
MITRE ATT&CK
1 technique across 1 tactic: Persistence The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Exploitation Conditions | Attacker must already possess low-privilege authenticated access to the router's underlying Linux system (PR:L in CVSS vector), typically achieved through one of these vectors: (1) compromised web administration panel credentials granting shell access, (2) physical access to device serial/UART debug ports, (3) exploitation of a separate remote code execution vulnerability providing initial shell foothold, or (4) firmware extraction and modification in supply chain attacks. The vulnerability itself requires no special configuration - the hardcoded credentials exist in default firmware 1.0.22 regardless of user settings. The local attack vector (AV:L) significantly limits remote exploitation; attackers cannot directly leverage this from the internet without first breaching the router through another means. This hard-coded credential becomes exploitable only after initial device access is obtained, but then enables complete escalation from any user-level access to root. |
| Impact | Real-world risk is moderate but contextually severe for affected deployments. CVSS 7.1 (High) reflects complete device compromise potential, while EPSS 0.03% (6th percentile) indicates minimal widespread exploitation activity, likely due to the local attack vector (AV:L) requiring prior device access. However, the attack complexity is low (AC:L) and publicly available exploit code exists (E:P in CVSS vector, confirmed via GitHub POC), lowering the barrier for motivated attackers. The critical factor limiting broader impact is PR:L (low privileges required) - an attacker needs existing authenticated access, either through compromised admin credentials, physical device access, or exploitation of another vulnerability granting shell access. For SOHO and home networks, this is HIGH risk: if an attacker gains any foothold (phishing, default credentials on admin panel, physical access), they achieve full router control, enabling persistent backdoors, traffic interception, and lateral movement. The vendor's non-response to disclosure eliminates prospects for an official patch, leaving devices permanently vulnerable. Prioritize replacement over remediation for security-sensitive deployments. No KEV listing suggests no mass exploitation campaigns, but the authentication bypass tag and public POC make this attractive for targeted attacks against high-value home/small office networks. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker first gains low-privilege access to the router through compromised web admin credentials (obtained via phishing or brute-forcing default passwords) or physical access to the device's debug serial port. With shell access established, the attacker reads /etc/shadow and discovers the hardcoded 'root:blinkadmin' credentials documented in the public POC. They execute 'su root' with password 'blinkadmin', instantly escalating to root privileges with full firmware modification capabilities, allowing installation of persistent backdoors, DNS hijacking, or using the router as a pivot point for attacking connected devices on the LAN. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Apr 29, 2026
Hard-coded credentials in LB-LINK BL-AC3600 firmware 1.0.22 allow local authenticated attackers to escalate privileges to full system compromise. The router firmware contains static credentials 'root:blinkadmin' in /etc/shadow, enabling any user with device access to gain root-level control. Publicly available exploit code demonstrates practical exploitation (POC confirmed via GitHub). Despite CVSS 7.1 and low EPSS score (0.03%, 6th percentile), this represents a complete device takeover for home/SOHO networks where physical or admin panel access exists. Vendor (LB-LINK) unresponsive to disclosure attempts, indicating no patch is forthcoming.
RemediationAI
No vendor-released patch identified at time of analysis - LB-LINK did not respond to early disclosure attempts, indicating no official fix is forthcoming for firmware 1.0.22. Primary recommendation: replace affected BL-AC3600 routers with alternative vendors demonstrating active security support and update practices. For environments where immediate replacement is infeasible, implement compensating controls with significant operational trade-offs: (1) Disable all remote management interfaces (TR-069, cloud management, UPnP admin) to prevent remote attackers from leveraging other vulnerabilities to gain the required local shell access - this breaks remote support capabilities; (2) Enable MAC address filtering and restrict administrative access to known-good devices only - adds management overhead and can be bypassed via MAC spoofing by attackers with network access; (3) Deploy network segmentation placing the vulnerable router behind a hardened upstream firewall, limiting blast radius of compromise - requires additional hardware investment; (4) Monitor /etc/shadow file integrity and router process lists for unauthorized modifications, though attackers with root can disable monitoring. Reference the public disclosure at https://github.com/waiwai24/0101/blob/main/CVEs/Blink/Hardcoded_Credentials_in_BL-AC3600_Routers.md for technical details. None of these mitigations address the root vulnerability; device replacement remains the only definitive solution.
Affected VersionsENISA
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 1 package in euvd
Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
This vulnerability stems from CWE-259 (Use of Hard-coded Password), a critical authentication bypass flaw common in embedded device firmware. The affected product is the LB-LINK BL-AC3600 wireless router running firmware version 1.0.22 (CPE: cpe:2.3:o:lb-link:bl-ac3600_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*). The /etc/shadow file, which should contain cryptographically hashed user credentials with unique salts, instead stores a predictable, static credential pair 'root:blinkadmin' accessible to anyone examining the firmware or gaining local shell access. This violates fundamental secure development practices for embedded Linux systems, where credentials should be randomized per device or derived from hardware-specific identifiers. The CVSS 4.0 vector (AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L) confirms this requires local access with low-privilege user credentials, but once exploited grants complete administrative control (VC:H/VI:H/VA:H) with no impact to connected systems (SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).
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Severity by source
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P
Primary rating from Vendor (vuldb) · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorVendor: vuldb
Lifecycle Timeline
4DescriptionCVE.org
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in LB-LINK BL-AC3600 1.0.22. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file /etc/shadow. The manipulation with the input root:blinkadmin leads to hard-coded credentials. Local access is required to approach this attack. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
Executive ViewAI
LB-LINK BL-AC3600 routers running firmware 1.0.22 contain hard-coded root credentials that allow any user with local access to the administrative panel to gain complete device control, potentially compromising all network traffic and connected devices. This vulnerability affects SOHO and home networks where the router may be accessible to multiple users or guests, and vendor non-responsiveness eliminates the prospect of a security patch.
No vendor-released patch identified at time of analysis. Interim mitigations: (1) Restrict access to the router's administrative web interface using network segmentation or firewall rules to trusted IPs only; (2) Disable remote management features (WAN access to admin panel) entirely; (3) Implement physical security controls limiting device access to authorized personnel only; (4) Monitor router logs for unauthorized login attempts; (5) Consider factory reset followed by immediate replacement rather than continued operation of affected units.
Threat Intelligence Overview
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.
EUVD-2025-21303
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
GitHub
VulDB
Exploit-DB