Root access via hard-coded UART credentials
Published Jul 13, 2026 · Updated Jul 13, 2026
Hard-coded credentials in D-Link DIR-1253 firmware 1.0.1.250923.142435 allow physically proximate attackers to gain root access. The firmware's /etc/shadow file embeds reusable password hashes for the privileged root and tmadmin accounts. Exploitation requires access to the device's UART serial console, where the credentials permit an interactive login and full control of the router.
Summary
What happened
Hard-coded credentials in D-Link DIR-1253 firmware 1.0.1.250923.142435 allow physically proximate attackers to gain root access. The firmware's /etc/shadow file embeds reusable password hashes for the privileged root and tmadmin accounts. Exploitation requires access to the device's UART serial console, where the credentials permit an interactive login and full control of the router.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-52533
- Published
- Jul 13, 2026
- Updated
- Jul 13, 2026
- Vendor
- Unknown vendor
- Product
- Unknown product
- Classifications
- CWE-269, T1078.001
- Attack vector
- physical
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 13, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jul 13, 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?
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.
Published CVSS scores
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.
Public exploit references
- Automated UART credential proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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