The US's ban on TP-Link routers is more political than it is exploitative.

US government agencies are considering a ban on TP-Link products, though the Chinese networking company surprisingly has fewer known exploited vulnerabilities than many competitors. While TP-Link only has two security issues on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, compared to Cisco's 74 and Ivanti's 23, the concern stems from potential unknown risks and the company's significant US market presence, where it controls about two-thirds of the router market.

The security landscape for TP-Link includes a notable command injection vulnerability in their Archer AX21 router discovered in April 2024, which allows unauthorized device compromise through simple POST requests. Additionally, Check Point Software Technologies found TP-Link devices affected by the Camaro Dragon implant, though this was found in modified firmware rather than original software.

A key concern driving potential restrictions isn't just technical vulnerabilities but the Chinese government's pervasive oversight of its businesses. According to Thomas Pace, former head of cybersecurity for the US Department of Energy, Chinese government representatives are present in every company, potentially influencing operations and gathering intelligence. This follows a pattern of increasing Chinese efforts to compromise rival nations' infrastructure, as evidenced by attacks from groups like Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon.

TP-Link has responded by stating their security practices align with industry standards and expressing willingness to engage with the federal government to address national security concerns. However, security experts emphasize that vulnerabilities in embedded devices aren't unique to any manufacturer or country of origin, recommending thorough due diligence, regular security updates, and careful consideration of hardware manufacturers' potential secondary motives.

The situation reflects broader concerns about supply chain security and device management, particularly given the challenges of securing embedded devices compared to traditional operating systems. This mirrors similar actions taken against other foreign technology companies, such as the US government's ban on Russian antivirus firm Kaspersky due to national security concerns.