CVE-2026-44094 in CHARX SEC-3150
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
An unauthenticated remote attacker can enforce the system to fall back to a firmware partition with an insecure configuration including default credentials. This could allow the attacker to gain SSH access to the system as an unprivileged user "user-app". Charging could be interrupted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in embedded firmware systems that allows unauthenticated remote attackers to manipulate device boot behavior and potentially gain unauthorized access. The flaw resides in the firmware's handling of partition selection during system startup, where the device can be forced to boot from an alternative partition containing insecure configurations. This specific weakness enables attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms by leveraging a fallback mechanism that loads firmware with default credentials, creating a persistent backdoor opportunity within the system architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves manipulation of the boot process through remote commands or network protocols that control which firmware partition loads during system initialization. When an attacker successfully triggers this fallback mechanism, they effectively gain access to a partition containing pre-configured credentials for the user-app account, which operates with limited privileges but still provides a foothold for further exploitation. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically involving improper privilege management during system boot sequences and inadequate validation of firmware integrity checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential compromise to include potential disruption of core system functions. The ability to force firmware partition fallback creates opportunities for attackers to interrupt charging operations, which represents a significant concern in battery-powered devices or systems where charging processes are critical to functionality. This disruption capability suggests the vulnerability may affect device availability and could be exploited as part of broader attack campaigns targeting device reliability and user confidence in system security.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through exploitation of system configuration weaknesses. The fallback mechanism described here aligns with attack patterns involving boot-level compromise and persistence establishment. Mitigation strategies must include implementing secure boot mechanisms that verify firmware integrity before partition selection, disabling unnecessary fallback partitions, and employing strong authentication controls throughout the boot process. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring for unusual boot behavior can help detect exploitation attempts while maintaining system availability and charging functionality.
The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in device security architecture where multiple attack vectors converge through a single point of failure in firmware management. This type of weakness often indicates broader architectural issues with trust models and authentication design principles that require comprehensive review and remediation to prevent similar vulnerabilities from existing in other system components or future firmware releases.