Walmart Exclusive Wi-Fi Router Contains Backdoor To Control Devices

A Walmart-exclusive Wi-Fi router, and others sold on Amazon & eBay contain hidden backdoors to control devices reports CyberNews.

Researchers discovered that many low cost, Chinese-made Wi-Fi routers contain a hidden backdoor which is being actively exploited to create botnet attacks.

CyberNews researchers discovered suspicious backdoors in a Chinese made router sold under the name ‘Jetstream’. This router is part of Walmart’s new line of affordable Wi-Fi routers.

This backdoor would allow an attacker the ability to remotely control not only the routers, but also any devices connected to that network.

The researchers contacted Walmart to get a statement, and a Walmart spokesperson had this to say:

“Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We are looking into the issue to learn more. The item in question is currently out of stock and we do not have plans to replenish it.”

CyberNews researchers also discovered that ‘Wavlink’ branded routers, often sold on Amazon or eBay, contain similar backdoors.

Worryingly, they also discovered that these backdoors are being actively exploited, and there have been attempts to add the routers to a botnet with malware that allows them to be used in large scale DDoS attacks, which have in the past taken down major websites such as Reddit, Netflix, CNN, GitHub, Twitter, AirBnb and more.