# CVE-2026-102812: TP-Link RE305 V3 and Archer C7 V5 hardcoded cryptographic key

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-102812-a-hard-coded-cryptographic-key-vulnerability-exists-in-the-user  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-27. Updated: 2026-10-27  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-102812 · Severity: info · Published 2026-10-27

TP-Link RE305 and Archer C7 routers contain a hardcoded encryption key in their configuration backup mechanism. An attacker who obtains a backup file can decrypt it to extract sensitive credentials including administrator passwords and Wi-Fi credentials. This could allow unauthorized network access or configuration manipulation.

Technologies: [TP-Link Archer C7](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/archer-c7), [TP-Link RE305](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/re305). Vendors: [TP-Link](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/tp-link).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-102812 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-102812 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-102812?** Informational severity, published 27 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** TP-Link Archer C7 V5; TP-Link RE305 V3.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-102812?** 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-2026-102812 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in device firmware.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-102812?** Check whether you run TP-Link Archer C7 or TP-Link RE305 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 fixed AES-128 key and initialization vector are embedded in the firmware configuration-management component for backup encryption. An attacker with access to a configuration backup file can extract the cryptographic material and decrypt the backup without authentication. Disclosure of administrative passwords and network credentials enables unauthorized access to affected devices and networks.

## Affected products

- TP-Link RE305 V3
- TP-Link Archer C7 V5

## Timeline

- 2026-10-27: disclosed

## References

- [https://www.tp-link.com/en/support/download/archer-c7/v5/](https://www.tp-link.com/en/support/download/archer-c7/v5/)
- [https://www.tp-link.com/en/support/download/re305/v3/](https://www.tp-link.com/en/support/download/re305/v3/)

## Related threats

- [TP-Link RE305 V3 authorization bypass in regulatory region configuration](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-102816-an-authorization-vulnerability-exists-in-the-country-or-region)
- [TP-Link RE305 V3 authentication bypass in password recovery](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-102813-an-authentication-flaw-exists-in-the-password-recovery)
- [TP-Link Range Extenders authentication bypass and password reset](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-3294-tp-link-range-extenders-authentication-bypass-and-password-reset)
- [TP-Link Archer C7 inadequate encryption in uhttpd modules](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-5363-tp-link-archer-c7-inadequate-encryption-in-uhttpd-modules)
- [TP-Link Archer C7 and TL-WR841N OS command injection in Parental Control](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2025-9377-tp-link-archer-c7-and-tl-wr841n-os-command-injection-in-parental)