CVE-2021-38549

Public Exploit

Description

MIRACASE MHUB500 USB splitters through 2021-08-09, in certain specific use cases in which the device supplies power to audio-output equipment, allow remote attackers to recover speech signals from an LED on the device, via a telescope and an electro-optical sensor, aka a "Glowworm" attack. We assume that the USB splitter supplies power to some speakers. The power indicator LED of the USB splitter is connected directly to the power line, as a result, the intensity of the USB splitter's power indicator LED is correlative to its power consumption. The sound played by the connected speakers affects the USB splitter's power consumption and as a result is also correlative to the light intensity of the LED. By analyzing measurements obtained from an electro-optical sensor directed at the power indicator LED of the USB splitter, we can recover the sound played by the connected speakers.

5.9

CVSS

Severity: Medium

CVSS 3.1 •

CVSS 2.0 •

EPSS 0.29%

Third-Party Advisory nassiben.com

Affected: n/a n/a

References

Link	Tags
https://www.nassiben.com/glowworm-attack	third party advisory exploit

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2021-38549?: CVE-2021-38549 has been scored as a medium severity vulnerability.
How to fix CVE-2021-38549?: To fix CVE-2021-38549, make sure you are using an up-to-date version of the affected component(s) by checking the vendor release notes. As for now, there are no other specific guidelines available.
Is CVE-2021-38549 being actively exploited in the wild?: It is possible that CVE-2021-38549 is being exploited or will be exploited in a near future based on public information. According to its EPSS score, there is a ~0% probability that this vulnerability will be exploited by malicious actors in the next 30 days.

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