CVE-2023-46889 in MSH30Q
Summary
by MITRE • 01/23/2024
Meross MSH30Q 4.5.23 is vulnerable to Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information. During the device setup phase, the MSH30Q creates an unprotected Wi-Fi access point. In this phase, MSH30Q needs to connect to the Internet through a Wi-Fi router. This is why MSH30Q asks for the Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and the Wi-Fi network password. When the user enters the password, the transmission of the Wi-Fi password and name between the MSH30Q and mobile application is observed in the Wi-Fi network. Although the Wi-Fi password is encrypted, a part of the decryption algorithm is public so we complemented the missing parts to decrypt it.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2025
The vulnerability identified in Meross MSH30Q firmware version 4.5.23 represents a critical weakness in the device's communication security during the initial setup process. This cleartext transmission flaw occurs when the device creates an unprotected Wi-Fi access point to facilitate network configuration, requiring users to input their Wi-Fi credentials through a mobile application. The device's setup protocol exposes sensitive information during the connection phase, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to intercept and decrypt network authentication details.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the device's failure to employ secure communication protocols during the initial configuration phase. While the Wi-Fi password itself may appear encrypted during transmission, the underlying cryptographic implementation contains publicly accessible components that allow attackers to reconstruct the complete decryption algorithm. This design flaw enables man-in-the-middle attacks where malicious actors can capture the network credentials transmitted between the mobile application and the device during setup. The vulnerability specifically affects the cleartext transmission of sensitive information as classified under CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive data through cleartext communication channels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it compromises the entire security posture of the device and the networks it connects to. Attackers who successfully intercept the transmitted credentials can gain unauthorized access to the user's Wi-Fi network, potentially enabling them to monitor network traffic, access connected devices, or launch further attacks within the compromised network. This risk is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability occurs during the device setup phase, when users may not be expecting security threats and may be less vigilant about network monitoring. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential harvesting through network sniffing and man-in-the-middle attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from Meross to implement proper encryption protocols during the device setup process. Network administrators and users should avoid using the device's setup mode in untrusted network environments and consider implementing additional security measures such as network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious traffic patterns. The device should be configured to use encrypted communication channels throughout all phases of operation, with proper implementation of TLS protocols and secure key exchange mechanisms. Additionally, users should verify that their network infrastructure includes proper access controls and that any intercepted credentials are promptly changed to prevent unauthorized access to their network resources.