CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-1442NVD status: Analyzed

UPK: Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-1442 is a high-severity use of hard-coded cryptographic key vulnerability in UPK from Unitree, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected UPK versions: 20260226v1 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.17% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of UPK you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
UnitreeUPK20260226v1 and earlierNot stated
UnitreeGo2 Edu Plus FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
UnitreeGo1 Pro FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
UnitreeGo1 Air FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
UnitreeGo2 X FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
UnitreeGo2 Pro FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
UnitreeGo2 Air FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
UnitreeGo2 Edu Standard FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (takeonme.org).

Official description

Since the encryption algorithm used to protect firmware updates is itself encrypted using key material available to an attacker (or anyone paying attention), the firmware updates may be altered by an unauthorized user, and then trusted by a Unitree product, such as the Unitree Go2 and other models. This issue appears to affect all of Unitree’s current offerings as of February 26, 2026, and so should be considered a vulnerability in both the firmware generation and extraction processes. At the time of this release, there is no publicly-documented mechanism to subvert the update process and insert poisoned firmware packages without the equipment owner’s knowledge.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key

The product uses a hard-coded, unchangeable cryptographic key.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Prevention schemes mirror that of hard-coded password storage.

More Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key vulnerabilities (CWE-321)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)

Recent Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key vulnerabilities

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