CVE-2026-14296 nRF54H20: MCUBoot can be tricked to executing unauthenticated code
Attackers can bypass MCUBoot authentication to execute unauthenticated code on the radio core by exploiting slot selection logic in Direct XIP updates.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-14296?
CVE-2026-14296 is a high-severity vulnerability in Nordic Semiconductor ASA nRF54H20, published on 7 Sep 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
When using the Direct XIP update strategy, the main application image starts other cores (i.e. radio core), based on the currently active slot without additional verification. The MCUboot in the bare (upstream) configuration assumes that if there is at least a single slot for each image available, the system is bootable and continues the boot process. This may lead to a situation when MCUboot picks different slot for different images (i.e. (a) for the main application and (b) for the radio image), boots the main application (from slot (a)) that afterwards starts the radio image by providing an address of the unauthenticated slot ((a) instead of (b)).
Weakness: CWE-347
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-14296?
How do I fix CVE-2026-14296?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-14296 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2026-14296 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-14296 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-j59p-mqmr-fcgh.