A newly discovered botnet campaign called “Ballista” has raised alarms globally, exploiting a vulnerability in TP-Link routers that first appeared in 2023. The campaign uses this vulnerability to spread malware, targeting thousands of vulnerable IoT devices across various sectors. As cybersecurity experts monitor the growing botnet activity, it’s clear that the issue demands immediate attention.
Summary: A Rising Threat to TP-Link Routers
In early 2025, a global IoT botnet campaign called Ballista began exploiting a critical vulnerability in TP-Link Archer routers. Tracked as CVE-2024-1389, this remote code execution vulnerability allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to routers and spread malware across the network. Initially, this flaw was used by malicious actors to drop Mirai botnet malware in 2023, but the situation has since escalated.
The vulnerability was first exploited in April 2023, and by January 2025, researchers from Cato Networks’ CTRL team observed several active attempts to target the routers. The most recent attack was recorded on February 17, 2025. The attack sequence starts with a bash script payload that installs the malware, setting up a secure command-and-control (C2) channel via TLS encryption on port 82. This allows the attackers to fully control the compromised devices.
The researchers suspect that an Italian-based threat actor is behind the Ballista botnet campaign, pointing to the Italian language strings embedded in the malware binaries and the IP address locations. Cato Networks’ investigation revealed that over 6,000 TP-Link routers across industries—including manufacturing, healthcare, and technology—are currently vulnerable. These devices are located primarily in the US, Australia, China, and Mexico.
Experts emphasize that organizations need to implement multi-layered cybersecurity defenses to protect their networks from similar botnet attacks. Behavioral detection for unusual malware activity is critical to identifying early-stage compromises. Despite facing controversies about its connections to the Chinese government, TP-Link has denied all allegations and continues to defend its security practices.
What Undercode Says:
The emergence of the Ballista botnet highlights the growing sophistication and persistence of cybercriminals targeting Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Unlike traditional malware that may rely on human intervention to spread, the Ballista botnet uses a vulnerability that allows it to propagate itself across the Internet without requiring user action. This poses a significant risk, especially in sectors like healthcare and manufacturing, where IoT devices are crucial to operations.
The fact that the exploit was initially identified in 2023 but has now evolved into a more aggressive botnet campaign underlines the ongoing challenge of securing IoT networks. IoT devices, like the TP-Link routers targeted by Ballista, are often left unpatched or poorly secured, making them prime targets for cyberattacks. This vulnerability, CVE-2024-1389, is a perfect example of how small, overlooked flaws in hardware can snowball into major security risks.
Cato
Furthermore, the suspicion that an Italian-based threat actor is behind the campaign suggests that cybercrime is increasingly becoming a global enterprise, with actors using sophisticated methods to cover their tracks. The Italian strings and IP addresses found in the malware suggest a level of planning and organization that may indicate state-sponsored or advanced persistent threat (APT) activity.
What’s even more troubling is the scale of the attack. With over 6,000 vulnerable devices identified, it’s likely that the botnet could spread to tens of thousands or more, depending on how quickly the vulnerability is addressed. For organizations with large IoT infrastructures, the implications are clear: without comprehensive security measures, they remain highly susceptible to such attacks.
Looking forward, this serves as a wake-up call for the IoT industry and organizations using these devices. As more businesses and services rely on interconnected devices, the need for robust, proactive cybersecurity becomes even more critical. Multi-layered defenses, including regular firmware updates, behavioral threat detection, and network segmentation, are essential for safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining operational integrity.
Fact Checker Results:
- Vulnerability: The CVE-2024-1389 vulnerability is legitimate, and researchers confirm it’s being exploited by the Ballista botnet.
- Malware Spread: The Ballista botnet is indeed using TP-Link routers to spread its payload, confirming Cato Networks’ findings.
- Threat Actor: The claim of an Italian-based threat actor is plausible based on IP and language evidence in the malware.
References:
Reported By: https://www.darkreading.com/cyberattacks-data-breaches/ballista-botnet-campaign-exploits-2023-vuln-tp-link-routers
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