CVE-2017-16242
CVE-2017-16242 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Meco Usb Memory Stick With Fingerprint Firwmare with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-287.
Key facts
- Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.8)
- CVSS v2: 7.2
- EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (40th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-287
- Affected product: Meco Usb Memory Stick With Fingerprint Firwmare
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
An issue was discovered on MECO USB Memory Stick with Fingerprint MECOZiolsamDE601 devices. The fingerprint authentication requirement for data access can be bypassed. An attacker with physical access can send a static packet to a serial port exposed on the PCB to unlock the key and get access to the data without possessing the required fingerprint.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2017-16242?
- An issue was discovered on MECO USB Memory Stick with Fingerprint MECOZiolsamDE601 devices. The fingerprint authentication requirement for data access can be bypassed. An attacker with physical access can send a static packet to a serial port exposed on the PCB to unlock the key and get access to the data without possessing the required fingerprint.
- How severe is CVE-2017-16242?
- CVE-2017-16242 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.8, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over physical access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2017-16242 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (40th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2017-16242?
- CVE-2017-16242 affects Meco Usb Memory Stick With Fingerprint Firwmare. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2017-16242?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
- When was CVE-2017-16242 published?
- CVE-2017-16242 was published on 2018-03-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://gist.github.com/audebert/ef6e206a27ededd1386cff48604e9335
- https://www.blackhat.com/docs/us-17/thursday/us-17-Picod-Attacking-Encrypted-USB-Keys-The-Hard%28ware%29-Way.pdf
- https://www.blackhat.com/us-17/briefings/schedule/index.html#attacking-encrypted-usb-keys-the-hardware-way-7443
- https://www.elie.net/talk/attacking-encrypted-usb-keys-the-hardware-way
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:o:meco:usb_memory_stick_with_fingerprint_firwmare:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Other CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities
- CVE-2026-45480 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Active Directory allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
- CVE-2026-46389 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): UDS Identity Config builds the Keycloak configuration image (realm, plugins, theme, truststore, JARs) consumed by UDS…
- CVE-2026-10611 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in MISP when LDAP mixed authentication is enabled with OTP enforcement.…
- CVE-2026-47280 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Resource Manager (ARM) allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a…
- CVE-2026-42822 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Local Disconnected Operations allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges…
- CVE-2026-20182 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): May 2026: This security advisory provides the details and fix information for a vulnerability that was discovered and…
Browse all CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities →