A new vulnerability has been identified in the TP-Link Tapo H200 V1 IoT Smart Hub that could allow attackers to access sensitive information, particularly Wi-Fi credentials. The Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In) has issued a detailed vulnerability note (CIVN-2025-0072), highlighting the technical aspects, risk assessment, and mitigation considerations surrounding this flaw.
The vulnerability, rated medium in severity, affects users of the TP-Link Tapo H200 V1 Smart Hub running firmware version 1.4.0 or earlier.
What Is the TP-Link Tapo H200 Smart Hub?
The TP-Link Tapo H200 Smart Hub is a central device used to connect and control various smart home appliances. It acts as a bridge between the internet and other smart devices like motion sensors, door sensors, light switches, and more. By using a hub, users can create automation routines, monitor home security, and control IoT devices remotely through mobile apps or voice assistants.
However, the convenience of centralized control also makes smart hubs an attractive target for cyber attackers — especially if sensitive information such as Wi-Fi credentials is not properly secured.
Overview of the Vulnerability
According to CERT-In, the TP-Link Tapo H200 Smart Hub stores Wi-Fi credentials in plain text within its firmware. This presents a clear information disclosure vulnerability, which can be exploited if an attacker gains physical access to the device.
The vulnerability has been assigned the identifier CVE-2025-3442, although full public details under this CVE are not yet available. It is expected that additional information will be published when the reporting organization officially discloses the vulnerability.
Technical Description
- Vulnerability Type: Information Disclosure
- Attack Vector: Physical access to device
- Impact: Exposure of stored Wi-Fi credentials
- Affected Firmware Versions: 1.4.0 or earlier
- Vulnerability Location: Firmware binary
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. An attacker with technical knowledge and physical access could:
- Extract the firmware from the device (e.g., through flash memory dumping),
- Analyze the binary data using reverse engineering tools,
- Locate and retrieve the plain text credentials from memory storage.
This would give the attacker unauthorized access to the user’s home network, potentially opening doors to further exploitation — including snooping on traffic, injecting malicious payloads into the network, or taking control of other connected smart devices.
Who Is at Risk?
The main risk is to end-users who have deployed the TP-Link Tapo H200 V1 Smart Hub as part of their smart home ecosystem. Since the attack requires physical access, this vulnerability does not expose the device to remote attacks over the internet.
However, environments with shared physical spaces — such as offices, rental apartments, or multi-tenant buildings — may be at greater risk if the device is left unprotected or exposed.
Risk and Impact Assessment
- Risk Level: Medium
- Impact: Exposure of Wi-Fi network credentials
- Attack Complexity: Requires physical access and technical knowledge
While the requirement for physical access limits the scale of potential attacks, the impact of credential exposure could be significant. Once an attacker retrieves the Wi-Fi password, they could:
- Join the same network and eavesdrop on communications,
- Launch attacks on other devices in the same network,
- Exploit misconfigured or vulnerable devices for broader intrusions.
This makes it essential for users and administrators to address the issue, especially in environments where physical access to the device cannot be guaranteed.
Recommended Mitigation Measures
CERT-In recommends the following actions for users and administrators:
- Check for Firmware Updates:
- Visit TP-Link’s official support page for firmware updates.
- Upgrade the Smart Hub firmware to the latest version, if available.
- Restrict Physical Access:
- Install the device in a location not easily accessible to unauthorized individuals.
- Secure devices inside locked enclosures if possible.
- Monitor Network Activity:
- Regularly check connected devices on your Wi-Fi network.
- Enable alerts for new or unknown devices connecting to your router.
- Change Wi-Fi Password:
- If physical compromise is suspected, change the Wi-Fi password immediately.
- Reconnect devices using updated credentials and disable access for unauthorized clients.
- Disable Unused Services:
- Turn off any unneeded IoT features to reduce the attack surface.
- Network Segmentation:
- Consider placing IoT devices on a separate network or VLAN.
- Limit cross-communication between networks to contain potential breaches.
This vulnerability was responsibly disclosed by Shravan Singh, Ganesh Bakare, and Abhinav Giridhar — security researchers based in Mumbai, India.
Conclusion
Smart home hubs like the TP-Link Tapo H200 are great for making everyday life easier, but this incident shows how they can also create serious security risks if not properly protected. Storing Wi-Fi credentials in plain text is a basic mistake — and it highlights how important it is for both manufacturers and users to take security seriously.
Firmware security and data protection shouldn’t be an afterthought, especially for devices connected to our homes and networks. If you’re using a TP-Link Tapo H200, updating your firmware and limiting physical access to the device isn’t just a suggestion — it’s necessary. Staying alert and following simple security steps can go a long way in keeping your connected home safe.
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