CVE-2026-78321 in Neo
Summary
by MITRE • 08/24/2026
The HTTP media server on DJI drones does not enforce sufficient limits on incoming connections or request rates. An attacker with access to the drone's internal network can exhaust the server's connection pool by repeatedly requesting a stored media file, preventing the server from handling legitimate requests and causing a denial of service that prevents the DJI Fly application from retrieving photos and videos from the aircraft in QuickTransfer mode.
Affected models are DJI Neo until 01.00.0400, DJI Neo 2 until 01.00.0500, DJI Flip until 01.00.1200, DJI Air 3 until 01.00.1600, DJI Air 3S until 01.00.1400, DJI Avata 2 until 01.00.0400, DJI Avata 360 until 01.00.0300, DJI Mavic 3 until 01.00.1400, DJI Mavic 3 Classic until 01.00.0800, DJI Mavic 3 Pro until 01.01.0700, DJI Mavic 4 Pro until 01.00.0500, DJI Mini 2 until 01.07.0200, DJI Mini 3 until 01.00.0500, DJI Mini 3 Pro until 01.00.0900, DJI Mini 4 Pro until 01.00.1100, and DJI Mini 5 Pro until 01.00.0600.
Remediation requires a firmware update from the vendor.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2026
The vulnerability described involves a critical resource exhaustion flaw within the HTTP media server component of various DJI drone models, specifically affecting devices running firmware versions prior to those specified in the remediation guidance. This security issue stems from an insufficient enforcement of limits on incoming connections and request rates, which allows for potential denial-of-service conditions when exploited by an attacker with access to the drone's internal network. The technical root cause lies in the lack of rate limiting or connection pooling constraints within the web server handling media retrieval requests. In a properly secured system, such servers should implement mechanisms like token buckets, leaky buckets, or strict maximum concurrent connection limits to prevent any single client from monopolizing resources. Without these controls, an adversary can rapidly open multiple connections and repeatedly request stored media files, effectively saturating the available bandwidth and processing capacity of the drone's onboard server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for users relying on QuickTransfer mode, a feature designed to facilitate rapid transfer of photos and videos from the aircraft to mobile devices via Wi-Fi or direct connection. When an attacker exhausts the server's connection pool through repetitive requests, legitimate clients are denied service. This results in a denial-of-service condition where the DJI Fly application fails to retrieve media files, disrupting workflow and potentially causing data loss if transfers were interrupted mid-process. While this vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity of the stored media, it severely impacts availability, which is a core pillar of information security. The attack requires local network access, meaning an adversary must be within wireless range and able to connect to the drone's internal network interface, typically via Wi-Fi Direct or similar protocols used for device pairing and control.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-400: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption, as it involves the exhaustion of system resources due to unregulated input handling. It also relates to CWE-770: Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling, highlighting the failure to implement appropriate throttling mechanisms for incoming requests. In terms of adversarial tactics, this behavior corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1499: Endpoint Denial of Service, specifically under sub-techniques involving resource exhaustion via application layer attacks. The attack vector is classified as local network-based, requiring proximity and network access rather than remote internet exploitation, which limits the blast radius but does not diminish its severity for targeted users in shared or public spaces where unauthorized devices might attempt to connect to open drone networks.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve applying the vendor-provided firmware updates that address these resource management flaws by implementing proper rate limiting and connection pooling controls. Until such patches are applied, operators should exercise caution when connecting drones to untrusted or public Wi-Fi networks, although most DJI QuickTransfer connections use direct device-to-drone links which reduce exposure to broader network attacks. Additionally, users can mitigate risk by ensuring that the drone's firmware is always updated to the latest stable release and by disabling unnecessary wireless services if not in active use. Security monitoring tools capable of detecting anomalous HTTP request patterns from local devices may also provide early warning indicators of such resource exhaustion attempts, allowing for rapid response before service disruption occurs.