CVE-2026-105033 in AI Station
Summary
by MITRE • 10/16/2026
The EnergizeLab AI Station (RK3562) firmware image ships with default root credentials and SSH enabled. An attacker with network access to the device can log in as root and take full control of it.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2026
The vulnerability identified involves a critical misconfiguration within the firmware of the EnergizeLab AI Station, specifically models utilizing the Rockchip RK3562 processor architecture. This security flaw stems from the inclusion of hardcoded default credentials for the root user account and the unnecessary enablement of Secure Shell (SSH) services in production builds. In many embedded systems and Internet of Things devices, manufacturers often retain these defaults during development to facilitate debugging and deployment but fail to enforce credential rotation or disable remote access protocols before releasing the product to end-users. This oversight creates a significant attack surface where any entity with network connectivity to the device can bypass authentication mechanisms entirely by utilizing known default usernames and passwords.
From a technical perspective, this represents a classic instance of insecure default configurations. The presence of SSH allows for command-line interaction with the operating system, granting an attacker direct access to shell commands, file systems, and running processes when combined with valid credentials. Since the root account is compromised via these defaults, there are no further privilege escalation steps required. An adversary can execute arbitrary code, modify system configurations, install persistent backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive data stored on the device. This level of access effectively results in a complete compromise of the device's confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to the potential role of the EnergizeLab AI Station within larger network infrastructures. As an edge computing or artificial intelligence processing unit, such devices often handle sensitive data streams or act as gateways for other IoT components. A compromised device can serve as a pivot point for lateral movement into more critical parts of the network. Attackers may leverage this access to launch distributed denial-of-service attacks using the device's resources, intercept unencrypted traffic passing through the system, or manipulate AI model inputs and outputs if the station is involved in real-time processing tasks. Furthermore, because these devices are often deployed in remote or hard-to-reach locations, physical remediation can be costly and time-consuming compared to network-based exploitation.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) identifier CWE-798: Use of Hard-coded Credentials, which describes the use of static authentication data that cannot be changed by users. It also relates closely to CWE-256: Unprotected Storage of Credentials if the default passwords are stored in plaintext within the firmware image without proper hashing or encryption mechanisms. In terms of offensive security frameworks, this scenario maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1078: Valid Accounts, where attackers use legitimate credentials obtained through various means, including defaults, to establish initial access and maintain persistence on compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies must address both the immediate configuration issues and long-term firmware management practices. For existing deployments, administrators should immediately change all default passwords to strong, unique passphrases that meet complexity requirements. If possible, SSH access should be disabled entirely unless strictly required for maintenance, in which case key-based authentication should replace password login to eliminate brute-force risks. Network segmentation is also crucial; the device should reside on a isolated VLAN with strict firewall rules limiting inbound connections only from authorized management stations. For future firmware updates or new deployments, manufacturers must implement secure boot processes and enforce mandatory credential changes during first-time setup procedures. Regular vulnerability scanning of IoT assets can help identify such misconfigurations before they are exploited by malicious actors seeking to expand their foothold within enterprise networks.