cve.bz

CAPEC-457

USB Memory Attacks

High severityLow likelihoodDetailed pattern

An adversary loads malicious code onto a USB memory stick in order to infect any system which the device is plugged in to. USB drives present a significant security risk for business and government agencies. Given the ability to integrate wireless functionality into a USB stick, it is possible to design malware that not only steals confidential data, but sniffs the network, or monitor keystrokes, and then exfiltrates the stolen data off-site via a Wireless connection. Also, viruses can be transmitted via the USB interface without the specific use of a memory stick. The attacks from USB devices are often of such sophistication that experts conclude they are not the work of single individuals, but suggest state sponsorship. These attacks can be performed by an adversary with direct access to a target system or can be executed via means such as USB Drop Attacks.

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How the attack unfolds

  1. Explore

    The attacker looks for a way in.

    1. [Determine Target System] In certain cases, the adversary will explore an organization's network to determine a specific target machine to exploit based on the information it contains or privileges the main user may possess.

      1 technique
      • If needed, the adversary explores an organization's network to determine if any specific systems of interest exist.

  2. Experiment

    They probe what they found.

    1. [Develop or Obtain malware and install on a USB device] The adversary develops or obtains the malicious software necessary to exploit the target system, which they then install on an external USB device such as a USB flash drive.

      1 technique
      • The adversary can develop or obtain malware for to perform a variety of tasks such as sniffing network traffic or monitoring keystrokes.

  3. Exploit

    They carry out the attack.

    1. [Connect or deceive a user into connecting the infected USB device] Once the malware has been placed on an external USB device, the adversary connects the device to the target system or deceives a user into connecting the device to the target system such as in a USB Drop Attack.

      1 technique
      • The adversary connects the USB device to a specified target system or performs a USB Drop Attack, hoping a user will find and connect the USB device on their own. Once the device is connected, the malware executes giving the adversary access to network traffic, credentials, etc.

Prerequisites

  • Some level of physical access to the device being attacked.

  • Information pertaining to the target organization on how to best execute a USB Drop Attack.

Mitigations

  • Ensure that proper, physical system access is regulated to prevent an adversary from physically connecting a malicious USB device themself.

  • Use anti-virus and anti-malware tools which can prevent malware from executing if it finds its way onto a target system. Additionally, make sure these tools are regularly updated to contain up-to-date virus and malware signatures.

  • Do not connect untrusted USB devices to systems connected on an organizational network. Additionally, use an isolated testing machine to validate untrusted devices and confirm malware does not exist.

Weaknesses it exploits

  • CWE-1299 Missing Protection Mechanism for Alternate Hardware Interface

Recent CVEs with these weaknesses

  1. 6.8CVE-2026-78862

    An issue in Mercusys AC12 V2 allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code via the UART serial interface on the printed circuit board (PCB)

  2. 7.0CVE-2025-35998

    Missing protection mechanism for alternate hardware interface in the Intel(R) Quick Assist Technology for some Intel(R) Platforms within Ring 0: Kernel may allow an escalation of privilege. System software adversary with a privileged user …

  3. 6.8CVE-2025-41697

    An attacker can use an undocumented UART port on the PCB as a side-channel to get root access e.g. with the credentials obtained from CVE-2025-41692.

  4. 7.5CVE-2025-1073

    Panasonic IR Control Hub (IR Blaster) versions 1.17 and earlier may allow an attacker with physical access to load unauthorized firmware onto the device.

  5. 6.8CVE-2025-26409

    A serial interface can be accessed with physical access to the PCB of Wattsense Bridge devices. After connecting to the interface, access to the bootloader is possible, as well as a Linux login prompt. The bootloader access can be used to …

  6. 6.8CVE-2024-47944

    The device directly executes .patch firmware upgrade files on a USB stick without any prior authentication in the admin interface. This leads to an unauthenticated code execution via the firmware upgrade function.

  7. 4.6CVE-2024-39723

    IBM FlashSystem 5300 USB ports may be usable even if the port has been disabled by the administrator. A user with physical access to the system could use the USB port to cause loss of access to data. IBM X-Force ID: 295935.

  8. 2.4CVE-2023-29063

    The FACSChorus workstation does not prevent physical access to its PCI express (PCIe) slots, which could allow a threat actor to insert a PCI card designed for memory capture. A threat actor can then isolate sensitive information such as a…

The newest records naming one of them. Each weakness's page lists them all.

Part of
Can lead to
  • CAPEC-529 Malware-Directed Internal Reconnaissance

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