CVE-2023-33538: TP-Link Multiple Routers command injection in WlanNetworkRpm

CVE-2023-33538 · Severity: critical · CVSS 8.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2025-06-16

Several older TP-Link router models contain a security flaw that allows an attacker to take full control of the device. These routers are commonly used to provide internet connectivity in small offices and homes. Because these products are at the end of their service life, they will not receive security updates, and users are advised to replace them to prevent unauthorized access to their networks.

Technologies: TP-Link Multiple Routers, TP-Link TL-WR841N, TP-Link TL-WR940N. Vendors: TP-Link.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2023-33538 exploited in the wild?
Yes. CVE-2023-33538 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 16 June 2025. Treat it as urgent.
How severe is CVE-2023-33538?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 16 June 2025.
Which products and versions are affected?
TP-Link TL-WR740N V1, V2; TP-Link TL-WR841N V8, V10; TP-Link TL-WR940N V2, V4.
Is there a fix for CVE-2023-33538?
No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.
How is CVE-2023-33538 attacked?
It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.
Am I affected by CVE-2023-33538?
Check whether you run TP-Link Multiple Routers, TP-Link TL-WR740N, TP-Link TL-WR841N or one of the others listed at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

Technical details

A command injection vulnerability exists in the '/userRpm/WlanNetworkRpm' component of multiple TP-Link router models. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements (CWE-77) within user-supplied input. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can exploit this over the network to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. This vulnerability is confirmed to be exploited in the wild. As the affected hardware versions (TL-WR940N V2/V4, TL-WR841N V8/V10, and TL-WR740N V1/V2) are end-of-life, no official patches are expected, and decommissioning is recommended.

Affected products

  • TP-Link TL-WR940N V2, V4
  • TP-Link TL-WR841N V8, V10
  • TP-Link TL-WR740N V1, V2

Timeline

  • 2023-06-09: disclosed: Initial researcher disclosure via GitHub archive
  • 2025-06-16: kev added: CISA added to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
  • 2025-06-16: advisory: NVD publication date

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