How severe is CVE-2021-31505?

CVE-2021-31505 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-2021-31505 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (42nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-31505?

CVE-2021-31505 affects Arlo Q Plus Firmware. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-31505?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2021-31505 published?

CVE-2021-31505 was published on 2021-06-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-31505

CVE-2021-31505 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Arlo Q Plus Firmware 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-798.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (42nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-798
Affected product: Arlo Q Plus Firmware
Published: 2021-06-29
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

This vulnerability allows attackers with physical access to escalate privileges on affected installations of Arlo Q Plus 1.9.0.3_278. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the SSH service. The device can be booted into a special operation mode where hard-coded credentials are accepted for SSH authentication. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-12890.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-31505?: This vulnerability allows attackers with physical access to escalate privileges on affected installations of Arlo Q Plus 1.9.0.3_278. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the SSH service. The device can be booted into a special operation mode where hard-coded credentials are accepted for SSH authentication. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-12890.
How severe is CVE-2021-31505?: CVE-2021-31505 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-2021-31505 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (42nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-31505?: CVE-2021-31505 affects Arlo Q Plus Firmware. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-31505?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2021-31505 published?: CVE-2021-31505 was published on 2021-06-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:arlo:q_plus_firmware:1.9.0.3_278:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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