CVE-2026-8983 in MaxiCharger Single
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2026
Autel Maxi Charger Single firmware through V1.03.51 contains a hard-coded authentication token that bypasses authorization checks for multiple management endpoints. An attacker can supply the special token value to invoke privileged functionality without valid authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Autel Maxi Charger Single device firmware version 1.03.51 and earlier, where a hard-coded authentication token exists within the system's codebase. The presence of such a token violates fundamental security principles and creates an unauthorized access vector that bypasses all standard authentication mechanisms. The hard-coded nature of this token means it is embedded directly into the firmware binary rather than being dynamically generated or securely stored, making it easily discoverable through reverse engineering or static analysis techniques.
The technical implementation of this flaw allows attackers to gain privileged access to multiple management endpoints within the device's interface. These endpoints typically handle administrative functions such as configuration changes, firmware updates, user management, and system diagnostics that should normally require legitimate authentication credentials. The vulnerability enables an attacker with network access to the device to invoke these functions without proper authorization, effectively granting them full administrative control over the charging equipment. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and creates a persistent backdoor within the device's security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of any networked charging infrastructure that relies on these devices. Organizations using Autel Maxi Charger Single units in commercial or industrial settings face significant risks including potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized modification of charging parameters that could affect safety and operational integrity. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects firmware versions that may be deployed across multiple installations, potentially creating a widespread attack surface. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain persistent access to charging networks, monitor usage patterns, modify billing information, or even manipulate charging schedules for malicious purposes.
From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability likely violates several industry standards and frameworks including the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, ISO/IEC 27001 information security management requirements, and various industrial control system security guidelines. The presence of hard-coded credentials directly contradicts the recommendations in CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded credentials in software implementations. Additionally, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 related to credential access and privilege escalation attacks that leverage hardcoded credentials for unauthorized system access.
Effective mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. Organizations should immediately update all affected Autel Maxi Charger Single devices to firmware versions that eliminate the hard-coded token and implement proper authentication mechanisms. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to these devices, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unauthorized access attempts or unusual network traffic patterns. Device administrators should conduct thorough security assessments of their charging infrastructure, including vulnerability scanning and penetration testing, to identify any additional weaknesses in their deployment. The security community should also consider implementing certificate-based authentication instead of token-based mechanisms for future device deployments to ensure proper credential management and reduce the risk of similar vulnerabilities in subsequent firmware releases.
The root cause of this vulnerability demonstrates a critical flaw in software development practices where security considerations were not properly integrated into the development lifecycle. This type of issue commonly occurs when development teams prioritize rapid deployment over security hardening, or when insufficient code review processes are implemented to identify insecure coding patterns. Proper implementation of secure coding guidelines, including regular security testing and code audits, would have prevented this vulnerability from reaching production firmware versions. Organizations should also establish robust patch management procedures to ensure timely remediation of known vulnerabilities and maintain awareness of security advisories from manufacturers and security vendors.
This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of treating embedded systems and IoT devices with the same security rigor applied to traditional computing platforms. The interconnected nature of modern charging infrastructure means that compromise of individual devices can create cascading security failures across entire networks, making proper authentication and authorization mechanisms essential for maintaining overall system integrity. The long-term solution involves implementing robust security architectures that eliminate hardcoded credentials through proper key management systems and secure boot processes while maintaining the operational functionality required for legitimate device administration tasks.