CVE-2023-2626: Authentication Bypass in OpenThread Boarder Router devices

Severity: high (CVSS 8.8 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.1% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2023-07-25 · updated 2026-06-17
Weakness: CWE-287

Description

There exists an authentication bypass vulnerability in OpenThread border router devices and implementations. This issue allows unauthenticated nodes to craft radio frames using “Key ID Mode 2”: a special mode using a static encryption key to bypass security checks, resulting in arbitrary IP packets being allowed on the Thread network. This provides a pathway for an attacker to send/receive arbitrary IPv6 packets to devices on the LAN, potentially exploiting them if they lack additional authentication or contain any network vulnerabilities that would normally be mitigated by the home router’s NAT firewall. Effected devices have been mitigated through an automatic update beyond the affected range.

Affected products

Google Nest Hub Firmware: from 10.20221207.2.100038 before 10.20221207.2.100042 — fixed in 10.20221207.2.100042
Google Nest Hub Max Firmware: from 10.20221207.2.109 before 10.20221207.2.120 — fixed in 10.20221207.2.120
Google Nest Wifi 6E Firmware: from 1.59 before 1.63.355999 — fixed in 1.63.355999
Google Nest Wifi Point Firmware: from 1.56.1 before 1.56.368671 — fixed in 1.56.368671
Google Wifi Firmware: from 14150.881.7 before 14150.882.9 — fixed in 14150.882.9

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: Google Nest Hub Firmware 10.20221207.2.100042; Google Nest Hub Max Firmware 10.20221207.2.120; Google Nest Wifi 6E Firmware 1.63.355999; Google Nest Wifi Point Firmware 1.56.368671; Google Wifi Firmware 14150.882.9. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

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