CVE-2021-31505

Root code execution via hard-coded SSH credentials

Published Jun 29, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Privilege escalation in Arlo Q Plus 1.9.0.3_278 allows physically proximate attackers to execute arbitrary code as root. The SSH service accepts hard-coded credentials after the camera is booted into a special operation mode, authenticating the attacker as root. Physical access is required to enter that mode; successful exploitation grants complete control of the camera.

CVSS severity6.8
Medium
EPSS probability0.55%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Privilege escalation in Arlo Q Plus 1.9.0.3_278 allows physically proximate attackers to execute arbitrary code as root. The SSH service accepts hard-coded credentials after the camera is booted into a special operation mode, authenticating the attacker as root. Physical access is required to enter that mode; successful exploitation grants complete control of the camera.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-31505
Published
Jun 29, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Arlo
Product
Arlo Q Plus
Classifications
CWE-798, CAPEC-70, T1078.001
Attack vector
physical
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 29, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=1.9.0.3_278

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorphysical
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Arlo · Arlo Q Plusversion=1.9.0.3_278

Published CVSS scores

6.8Zero Day InitiativeCVSS:3.0/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorphysical
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-798Use of Hard-coded Credentials
CAPEC-70Try Common or Default Usernames and Passwords
T1078.001Default Accounts

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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