CVE-2025-14553 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor) affecting the TP-Link Tapo mobile application on both iOS and Android platforms. The flaw arises from an unauthenticated API endpoint within the app that inadvertently discloses password hashes associated with Tapo cameras. Since the API response does not require authentication, any attacker connected to the same local network as the victim can query this endpoint and retrieve these hashes. Once obtained, the attacker can perform offline brute force attacks against the password hashes to recover the actual passwords, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the camera devices. The vulnerability does not affect the device firmware itself, meaning the cameras' internal software remains unchanged and secure from this specific issue. However, the mobile app acts as a critical interface for device management and authentication, making the exposure significant. The vulnerability has a CVSS v4.0 score of 7.0, indicating high severity, with attack vector limited to adjacent network (local network), low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, and high impact on confidentiality. The vulnerability was published on December 16, 2025, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild yet. Mitigation is achievable through updates to the mobile application, which presumably fix the API endpoint to require authentication or eliminate the exposure of password hashes. Since the device firmware remains unchanged, users must ensure their mobile apps are updated promptly to prevent exploitation. This vulnerability highlights the risk of sensitive data exposure via mobile app APIs, especially when local network access is sufficient for exploitation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of credentials used to access Tapo cameras, which may be deployed in corporate, governmental, or critical infrastructure environments. Unauthorized access to camera feeds or control could lead to privacy violations, espionage, or sabotage. Since exploitation requires local network access, organizations with poorly segmented or unsecured internal networks are particularly vulnerable. The exposure of password hashes enables attackers to perform offline brute force attacks, increasing the likelihood of credential compromise over time. This could result in unauthorized surveillance, data leakage, or disruption of security monitoring systems. Additionally, organizations relying on Tapo cameras for physical security may face operational risks if attackers gain control. The lack of firmware vulnerability means the risk is limited to app users, but given the widespread use of mobile devices for device management, the attack surface remains broad. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for mitigation, but the high severity score indicates urgent attention is required. European entities with extensive use of TP-Link Tapo products, especially in sectors like government, finance, and critical infrastructure, must prioritize addressing this vulnerability to maintain security and compliance.

1. Immediately update the TP-Link Tapo mobile application on all iOS and Android devices to the latest version provided by TP-Link that addresses this vulnerability. 2. Implement strict network segmentation to isolate IoT devices such as Tapo cameras from general user networks, limiting local network access to trusted personnel and systems only. 3. Employ network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to detect unusual API requests or brute force attempts targeting Tapo devices or associated apps. 4. Enforce strong password policies for Tapo camera accounts to increase resistance against brute force attacks on exposed hashes. 5. Educate users and administrators about the risks of connecting to unsecured or public Wi-Fi networks where local network attackers could exploit this vulnerability. 6. Consider deploying VPNs or secure tunnels for remote access to Tapo devices to reduce exposure of local network interfaces. 7. Regularly audit and inventory IoT devices and their management applications to ensure timely patching and compliance with security policies. 8. Coordinate with TP-Link for any additional security advisories or patches related to this vulnerability and apply them promptly.