Answer Brief
A security bypass vulnerability (CVE-2026-24498) in EFM-Networks ipTIME wireless routers allows unauthorized actors to extract Wi-Fi passwords in plaintext. Impacting multiple models including the T5008 and AX-series, the flaw bypasses internal security controls. Users must update to firmware version 15.27.2 or higher to remediate the risk of local credential theft.
Executive Summary: A security bypass vulnerability (CVE-2026-24498) in EFM-Networks ipTIME wireless routers allows unauthorized actors to extract Wi-Fi passwords in plaintext. Impacting multiple models including the T5008 and AX-series, the flaw bypasses internal security controls. Users must update to firmware version 15.27.2 or higher to remediate the risk of local credential theft.
Why It Matters
The discovery of CVE-2026-24498 represents a significant risk to the security of local area networks (LANs) relying on EFM-Networks ipTIME hardware. As a dominant provider of networking equipment in South Korea, ipTIME routers are foundational to the connectivity of millions of households and small businesses. The ability for an attacker to bypass security mechanisms and retrieve Wi-Fi passwords in plaintext (CWE-200) effectively nullifies the primary barrier to entry for a wireless network.
Technically, this vulnerability is categorized as a security function bypass. While the CVSS score is a moderate 6.0, the operational impact is high because it targets the confidentiality of the pre-shared key (PSK). In a typical attack scenario, an actor within range or with limited access to the management plane could exploit this flaw to gain full wireless access, leading to eavesdropping or man-in-the-middle attacks on connected clients.
Technical Signal
From a global infrastructure perspective, the security of consumer-grade and SME routers is a critical link in the supply chain. Routers are frequently targeted by botnet operators and state-sponsored actors to establish persistence or launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. A vulnerability that exposes the primary network password simplifies the process of compromising these edge devices.
For IT and security operations teams managing branch offices or remote employees in the East Asia region, this signal is vital. Many remote workers use consumer-grade hardware like ipTIME to connect to corporate VPNs. If the underlying router is compromised via credential exposure, the security of the entire remote work endpoint is brought into question.
Operational Impact
The risk boundary here is primarily defined by the reach of the wireless signal or access to the local network interface. However, if the router's management interface is exposed to the internet—a common misconfiguration—the risk could escalate to remote exploitation. The presence of plaintext passwords in memory or configuration files that are accessible through this bypass is a major architectural failure that necessitates immediate patching.
Organizations should immediately audit their hardware inventory for the T5008 and AX-series models. Given the popularity of ipTIME in Korea, multinational firms with Korean offices must ensure their local infrastructure teams have applied the 15.27.2 firmware update. This is not merely a home-user issue but a corporate security concern regarding the integrity of the local access layer.
What To Watch
Readers should watch for further advisories from KISA and EFM-Networks regarding other models in the ipTIME lineup. Vulnerabilities in core firmware logic often propagate across different product tiers. It is highly probable that other models using similar codebases may also require updates in the coming weeks, even if they are not explicitly listed in the initial February 2026 report.
Finally, this incident highlights the importance of moving toward more robust identity and access management (IAM) even at the router level. Relying on a single PSK for network security is a known weakness; when that PSK can be retrieved in plaintext via a simple bypass, the necessity for segmented networks and encrypted tunnel protocols for all corporate traffic becomes even more apparent.
Event Type: security
Importance: high
Affected Companies
- EFM-Networks
- KISA
Affected Sectors
- Consumer Electronics
- Critical Infrastructure
- Cybersecurity
Key Numbers
- CVSS Score: 6.0
- Affected Models: 4
- Required Firmware Version: 15.27.2
Timeline
- KISA issues official security advisory for CVE-2026-24498
- Status confirmed as active threat for unpatched hardware
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary risk associated with CVE-2026-24498?
The vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass security functions on ipTIME routers to obtain the Wi-Fi password in plaintext. This enables unauthorized network access and potential lateral movement within the local environment without needing the original administrative credentials.
Which ipTIME router models are confirmed to be affected?
Currently confirmed affected models include the ipTIME T5008, AX2004M, AX3000Q, and AX6000M. These devices are widely used in both residential and small-to-medium enterprise (SME) environments throughout South Korea and East Asia.
How do I fix the security bypass on my ipTIME router?
Users should navigate to the ipTIME management interface and update their firmware. The vulnerability is addressed in version 15.27.2. Any device running version 15.26.8 or earlier is considered vulnerable and should be updated immediately.