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GL-iNet Comet KVM EUVDEUVD-2026-12600

| CVE-2026-32291 HIGH
Missing Authentication for Critical Function (CWE-306)
2026-03-17 cisa-cg
7.0
CVSS 4.0 · NVD
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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Access
    Gain physical access to device
  2. Delivery
    Open enclosure and locate UART pins
  3. Exploit
    Connect serial adapter and terminal software
  4. Execution
    Access unauthenticated root console
  5. Persist
    Extract credentials or modify firmware
  6. Impact
    Pivot to connected systems

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A07:2025 - Authentication Failures
ASVS 5.0
V6 - Authentication Authentication required for critical functions
MITRE ATT&CK

1 technique across 1 tactic: Initial Access

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Exploitation Conditions

Physical access to the GL-iNet Comet GL-RM1 device sufficient to open the enclosure and connect debugging equipment to internal UART circuit board pins. Requires attacker capability to identify UART pin locations (typically labeled TX, RX, GND on PCB), appropriate hardware tools (USB-to-serial adapter with 3.3V or 5V logic levels matching device specifications), and terminal software configured for UART communication parameters. Typical prerequisites include screwdrivers to open device case, basic electronics knowledge to avoid damaging circuitry, and physical presence duration of 5-15 minutes for initial access. Limits to exploitation: strong physical security controls (locked racks, access control systems, video surveillance) significantly reduce attack feasibility. Remote exploitation is impossible (AV:P). The no privilege requirement (PR:N) and low attack complexity (AC:L) apply only after physical access is achieved-the physical barrier itself represents the primary defense. Environments with robust physical security, tamper detection, or continuous monitoring make this attack impractical despite the technical ease once physical access is obtained.

Impact

Real-world risk is significantly lower than the 7.0 CVSS suggests due to the physical attack vector (AV:P). An attacker must physically open the device enclosure, identify and access internal UART pins, and connect debugging equipment-requiring hardware skills, tools, and sustained physical access to the device. The CVSS vector shows AV:P/AC:L/PR:N with high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability, but the physical prerequisite creates a natural barrier absent in network-based vulnerabilities. EPSS score of 0.03% (7th percentile) confirms minimal real-world exploitation likelihood, as automated or remote mass exploitation is impossible. No CISA KEV listing indicates no confirmed active exploitation. The CISA CG advisory and Eclypsium research report position this within broader KVM security concerns, suggesting targeted research interest rather than widespread attacker activity. Primary risk scenarios involve supply chain interdiction, malicious insiders with physical access, or sophisticated adversaries targeting high-value isolated networks where KVMs bridge air-gapped systems. For typical enterprise deployments with physical security controls, this ranks below remotely exploitable vulnerabilities. Organizations using these KVMs in sensitive environments (data centers, secure facilities, industrial control systems) should prioritize remediation; those with robust physical security can deprioritize relative to network-accessible threats.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker with physical access to a data center, server room, or office opens the GL-iNet Comet KVM enclosure using basic tools. They locate the UART pins on the circuit board, connect a USB-to-serial adapter and laptop running terminal software (such as screen, minicom, or PuTTY). Upon establishing the UART connection, they gain unauthenticated root-level console access to the device firmware. From this position, they can extract credentials for connected systems, modify KVM firmware to intercept keystrokes and video data from all managed servers, or reconfigure the device to establish persistence and enable remote access. The compromised KVM becomes a covert pivot point for accessing multiple high-value systems without triggering network-based detection.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
No patch listed yet 0.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv2 – Apr 27, 2026

Physical UART access on GL-iNet Comet (GL-RM1) KVM grants unauthenticated attackers complete device control with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. This hardware-level authentication bypass (CWE-306) requires disassembling the device and connecting to internal serial pins, significantly limiting practical exploitation despite the 7.0 CVSS score. EPSS probability is very low (0.03%, 7th percentile), consistent with the physical access requirement. No active exploitation confirmed; CISA CG reported this vulnerability alongside vendor firmware version 1.8.2 reference, suggesting patch availability.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
v1 Mar 17, 2026 - 20:30 CVSS 6.8

The GL-iNet Comet (GL-RM1) KVM lacks authentication enforcement on its UART serial console, allowing unauthenticated access to device management functions after physical access is obtained. This authentication bypass (CWE-306) affects all versions of the Comet KVM product line and enables attackers with physical access to achieve complete system compromise including confidentiality, integrity, and availability violations. While the attack requires opening the device and connecting to UART pins, security research from Eclypsium demonstrates that affordable KVM devices like this one can serve as network pivoting points for lateral movement and reconnaissance.

RemediationAI

Upgrade to GL-iNet Comet KVM firmware version 1.8.2 or later available at https://dl.gl-inet.com/release/kvm/release/RM1/1.8.2, which likely addresses the UART authentication bypass. Verify the patch includes authentication requirements for UART console access or disables UART in production builds. As immediate compensating controls, implement strict physical security for devices: deploy in locked cabinets or racks with tamper-evident seals, restrict physical access to authorized personnel only, and monitor for unauthorized device handling through video surveillance or access logs. For high-security environments, consider epoxy-filling UART pin headers after initial deployment to prevent physical connection (trade-off: eliminates legitimate debugging capability and may void warranty). Implement device integrity monitoring to detect firmware tampering if UART access occurs. Network segmentation can limit lateral movement if a KVM is compromised, but does not prevent the initial device compromise. Given the physical access requirement, prioritize these devices in environments where physical security is already robust rather than attempting to retrofit protection where physical controls are weak.

Affected VersionsENISA

Comet KVM 0 <*

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

The vulnerability affects the GL-iNet Comet GL-RM1, a hardware KVM (Keyboard-Video-Mouse) switch used for managing multiple computers from a single console. The device exposes a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter) serial console on internal circuit board pins without implementing authentication controls. UART is a low-level hardware communication protocol commonly used for device debugging and firmware development. The root cause is Missing Authentication for Critical Function (CWE-306), where a privileged interface intended for development or emergency recovery remains accessible in production hardware without requiring credentials. The CPE identifier cpe:2.3:a:gl-inet:comet_kvm confirms all firmware versions are affected. KVM devices are particularly sensitive targets because they sit between users and multiple managed systems, making them high-value pivot points for lateral movement in enterprise networks.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 7.0 HIGH
CVSS:4.0/AV:P/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Physical
Attack Complexity
Low
Attack Requirements
None
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Vulnerable system: Confidentiality
High
Vulnerable system: Integrity
High
Vulnerable system: Availability
High
Subsequent system: Confidentiality
None
Subsequent system: Integrity
None
Subsequent system: Availability
None

Lifecycle Timeline

4
Analysis Updated
Apr 27, 2026 - 12:44 vuln.today
v2 - CVSS changed
Severity Changed
Apr 27, 2026 - 12:37 NVD
MEDIUM HIGH
CVSS changed
Apr 27, 2026 - 12:37 NVD
6.8 (MEDIUM) 7.0 (HIGH)
CVE Published
Mar 17, 2026 - 17:18 nvd
MEDIUM 6.8

DescriptionCVE.org

The GL-iNet Comet (GL-RM1) KVM does not require authentication on the UART serial console. This attack requires physically opening the device and connecting to the UART pins.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

GL-iNet Comet (GL-RM1) routers contain a physical UART authentication bypass (CVE-2026-32291) that allows complete device compromise when accessed through internal serial pins. While the CVSS score is 7.0, exploitation requires device disassembly and physical access, making this a localized risk primarily affecting organizations with inadequate physical security controls in device storage or deployment areas. Leadership should assess whether devices are deployed in environments where physical tampering is a realistic threat.

Business Impact: Medium
Compensating Controls

Implement strict physical access controls: store devices in locked cabinets or secured equipment rooms with access logging; restrict device access to authorized personnel only; conduct periodic physical inspections for signs of tampering; consider deploying GL-RM1 only in environments where physical security is guaranteed. Apply vendor patch once available per GL-iNet advisory.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.0%
Top 93% exploitable
Data Quality
5 sources
Confidence: Medium

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.0%
Patch available No
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Defer
Exploitation· derived
None
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact
Medium

Priority Score

35
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +35
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.

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