CVE-2026-14296

Code execution via mismatched Direct XIP slots

Published Sep 7, 2026 · Updated Sep 8, 2026

Improper signature verification in nRF54H20 firmware using nRF Connect SDK 3.2.1 through 3.2.4 allows attackers to execute code. In multi-image Direct XIP builds, MCUboot accepts mismatched valid slots, and the main image starts a radio image from an unauthenticated slot. Exploitation requires access to an update package and the DFU distribution path; rogue radio code can dump device memory or leave the device unresponsive.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability0.11%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper signature verification in nRF54H20 firmware using nRF Connect SDK 3.2.1 through 3.2.4 allows attackers to execute code. In multi-image Direct XIP builds, MCUboot accepts mismatched valid slots, and the main image starts a radio image from an unauthenticated slot. Exploitation requires access to an update package and the DFU distribution path; rogue radio code can dump device memory or leave the device unresponsive.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-14296
Published
Sep 7, 2026
Updated
Sep 8, 2026
Vendor
Nordic Semiconductor ASA
Product
nRF54H20
Classifications
CWE-347, CAPEC-549, T1542.001
Attack vector
adjacent
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 7, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 8, 2026Record 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=3.2
  2. Affected versionversion=3.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectoradjacent
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Nordic Semiconductor ASA · nRF54H20version=3.2; version=3.3

Published CVSS scores

7.5YesWeHack CNACVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

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

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-347Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature
CAPEC-549Local Execution of Code
T1542.001Pre-OS Boot: System Firmware

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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