CVE-2023-25946 in Lock Q-SL2
Summary
by MITRE • 05/23/2023
Authentication bypass vulnerability in Qrio Lock (Q-SL2) firmware version 2.0.9 and earlier allows a network-adjacent attacker to analyze the product's communication data and conduct an arbitrary operation under certain conditions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2025
The authentication bypass vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-25946 affects Qrio Lock Q-SL2 devices running firmware versions 2.0.9 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the device's fundamental access control mechanisms. This vulnerability resides within the firmware implementation of the smart lock system, specifically targeting the authentication protocols that govern user access and operational permissions. The flaw enables attackers who can position themselves within the network adjacency range of the affected device to exploit weaknesses in the communication layer that should normally enforce strict authentication requirements.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of authentication tokens and session management within the device's communication protocols. Attackers can intercept and analyze the device's network traffic to identify patterns and potentially reverse-engineer the authentication mechanisms. This weakness allows for the injection of malicious payloads or the manipulation of legitimate communication sequences that should require proper authentication credentials. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to properly verify the authenticity of incoming requests, particularly those that should require valid user credentials or cryptographic signatures before executing operational commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass a broad range of potential security breaches and operational disruptions. Network-adjacent attackers can leverage this flaw to perform arbitrary operations on the lock system, including but not limited to unlocking or locking doors without proper authorization, modifying access credentials, or potentially gaining persistent access to the device's operational parameters. The vulnerability's condition-based nature means that specific circumstances must be met for exploitation, but once achieved, the attacker can maintain control over the lock system's functionality and potentially compromise the physical security of the protected environment.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, specifically targeting weak or missing authentication mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to protected resources. The attack vector classification places this vulnerability within the ATT&CK framework under T1078 Valid Accounts, as exploitation requires establishing unauthorized access through compromised authentication mechanisms. Additionally, the network adjacency requirement suggests potential mapping to T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1590 Indicator Removal on Host, as attackers may need to first map the network environment and then potentially remove evidence of their activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates to versions that address the authentication bypass flaw, as provided by the vendor. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the attack surface, ensuring that only authorized network segments can communicate with the lock devices. Additional protective measures include implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous communication patterns and unauthorized access attempts, along with regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation vectors. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for communication anomalies that may indicate exploitation attempts against smart lock systems, while maintaining detailed logs for forensic analysis should incidents occur.