AES/CBC Constant IV Vulnerability in ESPTouch v2
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- Information disclosure
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · None · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-327.
Summary
ESPTouch is a connection protocol for internet of things devices. In the ESPTouchV2 protocol, while there is an option to use a custom AES key, there is no option to set the IV (Initialization Vector) prior to versions 5.3.2, 5.2.4, 5.1.6, and 5.0.8. The IV is set to zero and remains constant throughout the product's lifetime. In AES/CBC mode, if the IV is not properly initialized, the encrypted output becomes deterministic, leading to potential data leakage. To address the aforementioned issues, the application generates a random IV when activating the AES key starting in versions 5.3.2, 5.2.4, 5.1.6, and 5.0.8. This IV is then transmitted along with the provision data to the provision device. The provision device has also been equipped with a parser for the AES IV. The upgrade is applicable for all applications and users of ESPTouch v2 component from ESP-IDF. As it is implemented in the ESP Wi-Fi stack, there is no workaround for the user to fix the application layer without upgrading the underlying firmware.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| espressif | esp-idf | 5.3.0 to before 5.3.2; 5.2.0 to before 5.2.4; 5.1.0 to before 5.1.6; before 5.0.8 | 5.3.2, 5.2.4, 5.1.6, 5.0.8 | Patch available | CNA |
- esp-idf Vendorespressif Affected 5.3.0 to before 5.3.2; 5.2.0 to before 5.2.4; 5.1.0 to before 5.1.6; before 5.0.8 Fixed in 5.3.2, 5.2.4, 5.1.6, 5.0.8 Patch available CNA
Remediation
- Fix · CNA esp-idf (espressif) Fixed in 5.3.2, 5.2.4, 5.1.6, 5.0.8
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2024-53845
References
Other 9
- https://github.com/espressif/esp-idf/security/advisories/GHSA-wm57-466g-mhrr
- https://github.com/espressif/esp-idf/commit/4f85a2726e04b737c8646d865b44ddd837b703db
- https://github.com/espressif/esp-idf/commit/8fb28dcedcc49916a5206456a3a61022d4302cd8
- https://github.com/espressif/esp-idf/commit/d47ed7d6f814e21c5bc8997ab0bc68e2360e5cb2
- https://github.com/espressif/esp-idf/commit/de69895f38d563e22228f5ba23fffa02feabc3a9
- https://github.com/espressif/esp-idf/commit/fd224e83bbf133833638b277c767be7f7cdd97c7
- https://github.com/EspressifApp/EsptouchForAndroid/tree/master/esptouch-v2
- https://github.com/EspressifApp/EsptouchForIOS/tree/master/EspTouchDemo/ESPTouchV2
- https://github.com/espressif/esp-idf/tree/master/components/esp_wifi
More espressif vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-31061 arduino-esp32: Stack buffer overflow in WebServer multipart boundary parsing leads to remote crash potential RCE CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2024-30765 Multiple Poisoned Pipeline Execution (PPE) vulnerabilities CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2026-30028 Improper validation of NBNS name_len in arduino-esp32 NetBIOS leads to memory corruption CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2025-33484 CSRF Vulnerability in Firmware Update Endpoints Allows Remote Code Execution CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.7
- TI-2024-22076 Buffer Overflow vulnerability in esp-idf v.5.1 allows a remote attacker to execute… CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.5
- TI-2025-33011 arduino-esp32 vulnerable to CRLF injection in WebServer.cpp CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.9
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences