CVE-2023-36160 in Smart Plug 10A
Summary
by MITRE • 09/16/2023
An issue was discovered in Qubo Smart Plug10A version HSP02_01_01_14_SYSTEM-10 A, allows local attackers to gain sensitive information and other unspecified impact via UART console.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-36160 affects the Qubo Smart Plug10A model HSP02_01_01_14_SYSTEM-10, representing a critical security flaw that exposes the device to unauthorized access through its Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter console interface. This issue demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the device's security architecture, where local attackers can exploit the UART console to gain access to sensitive information and potentially execute further malicious activities. The vulnerability resides within the device's firmware implementation, specifically in how it handles console access and authentication mechanisms for low-level system interfaces.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves direct physical access to the device's UART interface, which typically provides low-level debugging and administrative access to embedded systems. This type of attack falls under the category of physical security breaches where attackers with local access can leverage exposed serial console ports to bypass normal authentication procedures. The vulnerability enables unauthorized information disclosure through the UART interface, potentially exposing system configuration details, cryptographic keys, firmware versions, and other sensitive operational data that should remain protected within the device's secure execution environment. This weakness aligns with CWE-254, which addresses security weaknesses related to improper access control mechanisms in embedded systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential pathways for more severe attacks including firmware modification, privilege escalation, and persistent backdoor establishment. Attackers could leverage the UART console access to inject malicious code into the device firmware, potentially compromising the entire smart plug ecosystem and enabling them to manipulate device behavior, monitor network traffic, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other networked systems. The local nature of this attack means that physical proximity to the device is required, but this limitation does not prevent sophisticated adversaries from gaining access through social engineering, physical infiltration, or supply chain compromise methods.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates weaknesses in the principle of least privilege and secure configuration management for IoT devices. The presence of an unsecured UART console represents a failure in implementing proper device hardening practices and secure boot processes. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of ATT&CK framework's T1059.001 technique, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, and T1068 which addresses exploit for privilege escalation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure device lifecycle management and the need for manufacturers to implement proper security controls during the design phase rather than addressing issues post-deployment through patches or updates.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access to the device's serial console ports, firmware updates from the manufacturer that properly secure these interfaces, and network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if the device is compromised. Security teams should also implement continuous monitoring of network traffic for unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, establish proper inventory management to track all IoT devices with exposed console interfaces, and ensure that security assessments include testing for physical access vulnerabilities. Additionally, device manufacturers should adopt secure development lifecycle practices that incorporate threat modeling, secure coding standards, and proper security testing to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future product releases.