Topic Update: [SOLVED] Retrieved PPPoE Password from Maxis Kaon AR2140 (Firmware 1.2.50_r33)
Update: I managed to retrieve the PPPoE password and successfully connected my own TP-Link BE65!
For anyone else stuck with the "Blank Password" field in the Maxis router or unable to get the correct password from customer service (123), here is what worked and what didn't.
What DIDN'T work:
Asking 123: The CS are always giving me the wrong and outdated PPPoE password ==
Decrypting the backup file: I tried brute-forcing the backupsettings.conf file using openssl with the Serial Number, MAC address, and various default keys. It kept returning "Bad Decrypt," suggesting Maxis might be using a custom or hardcoded master key for this firmware version.
What WORKED (The Solution): It turns out the router sends the full password in cleartext to your browser, but the UI just hides it. You don't need to decrypt anything.
Steps to get your Password:
Connect your PC to the Maxis (Kaon) router via Wi-Fi or LAN.
Log in to the Web UI (192.168.1.254) as administrator, password is SN number.
Press F12 to open the Developer Tools in your browser (Chrome/Edge).
Go to the Network tab in Developer Tools.
Navigate to the Settings > WAN (or Internet) page in the router UI.
Look at the list of network requests that appear. Find the one that fetches the WAN settings (it usually returns a JSON or XML response).
Click on that request and look at the Response tab.
Search (Ctrl+F) for pppoe-userpassword. You will see your actual password right there in the code.
Has the password format change from the normal one? e.g. Username: A1234567@home.maxis.com.my