TP-Link IoT Smart Hub Vulnerability Exposes Wi-Fi Credentials

A critical vulnerability in the TP-Link Tapo H200 V1 IoT Smart Hub that could expose users’ Wi-Fi credentials to attackers. 

The flaw, assigned CVE-2025-3442, stems from the device’s firmware storing sensitive information in plain text, making it accessible to attackers with physical access to the device. 

The vulnerability, classified as CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information), stems from the device’s firmware storing Wi-Fi credentials in plain text. 

This critical oversight allows an attacker with physical access to the device to extract and analyze the firmware binary data, potentially compromising the Wi-Fi network’s security.

TP-Link IoT Smart Hub Vulnerability

According to CERT-In’s assessment, the vulnerability affects TP-Link Tapo H200 V1 Smart Hub devices running firmware version 1.4.0 or earlier. 

The severity has been rated as medium, with a CVSS base score of 4.4. While the attack vector requires physical access and technical knowledge, limiting its widespread exploitation, the potential impact remains significant for affected users.

“The issue arises because the firmware does not encrypt or obfuscate the Wi-Fi credentials that are used by the device to connect to the user’s wireless network,” explained security experts familiar with the vulnerability. 

Once an attacker retrieves these credentials, they could join the network, eavesdrop on communications, and potentially launch attacks on other connected devices.

The TP-Link Tapo H200 Smart Hub serves as a central device for connecting and controlling various smart home appliances, including motion sensors, door sensors, and light switches. 

It enables users to create automation routines, monitor home security, and control IoT devices remotely via mobile apps or voice assistants.

The vulnerability was responsibly disclosed by Mumbai-based security researchers Shravan Singh, Ganesh Bakare, and Abhinav Giridhar. 

Their discovery highlights the ongoing IoT security challenges, particularly credential management.

The summary of the vulnerability is given below:

Mitigation

To mitigate this vulnerability, CERT-In recommends several immediate actions. Users should upgrade their Smart Hub firmware to version 1.5.0.

Additionally, users should restrict physical access to their devices, monitor network activity for unauthorized connections, and consider changing their Wi-Fi passwords if device compromise is suspected.

For environments with higher security requirements, experts recommend implementing network segmentation by placing IoT devices on a separate network or VLAN to contain potential breaches.

This incident underscores a fundamental challenge in IoT security: devices need credentials to access networks but must get on networks to obtain credentials securely. Traditional onboarding methods often involve cumbersome and insecure processes that expose sensitive information.

As the global IoT device count approaches 30 billion by 2030, secure device onboarding and credential management will become increasingly critical for maintaining network security.

As smart home technology continues to evolve, manufacturers must prioritize robust security practices to protect users from emerging threats.

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