Executive brief
The TOTOLINK X5000R wireless router contains a hardcoded root account password embedded in the firmware. An attacker with network access can use this password to gain complete administrative control of the router via telnet, potentially allowing them to intercept traffic, modify network settings, inject malware, or disrupt service for all connected users.
Technical details
The vulnerability is a hardcoded credential flaw in which the root account password is stored in plaintext (MD5 hashed format) in the /etc/shadow file of the device firmware. The password "cs2012" can be extracted and cracked using standard password-cracking tools. Telnet is enabled on the device and requires no authentication bypass—an attacker on the network can directly connect via telnet and authenticate using the cracked root credentials, achieving complete system compromise. Proof-of-concept extraction and cracking via binwalk and John the Ripper has been publicly demonstrated. The vendor acknowledged the vulnerability but has not provided a patch or firmware update to remediate it.
Affected products
- TOTOLINK X5000R V9.1.0cu.2415_B20250515
Timeline
- 2026-09-15: disclosed: Vulnerability published on GitHub and NVD