Hi everyone! Are you aware of the
Twonky Server security issues? If you happen to use this
media server, you should pay attention.
Rapid7 security researchers discovered two serious vulnerabilities in
Twonky Server version 8.5.2 that would allow a hacker to log in without a password. The problem is, the company is not going to fix these flaws.
The Flaws
The first vulnerability is an
API access-control bypass (
CVE-2025-13315). A hacker could simply send a request via
/nmc/rpc/log_getfile without logging in, and the server will return the encrypted administrator passwords.
The second vulnerability is hardcoded encryption keys (
CVE-2025-13316).
Twonky uses
Blowfish to protect the passwords, but the keys are in the software. The hardcoded keys can make decrypting the password easy for hackers.
These two vulnerabilities combined would allow a hacker to gain complete control of the server, allowing them to view media files, change settings, shut down the server, or attack other devices on the network.
Who is Vulnerable?
Twonky Server is run on
NAS devices along with routers and other embedded devices, so the risk is not limited to personal users. Small businesses are also at risk as well. Researchers found roughly
850 Twonky Servers exposed online. The likelihood the owner of
Twonky Server does not know they are in a vulnerable situation is high.
Why Itβs Dangerous
The troubling news is that the vendor is not going to be fixing any of these bugs, meaning that it is the users who are left to defend themselves. Hackers don't need any special tools, just the basic knowledge of how to make requests and decrypt passwords.
How to Stay Safe
If you're running
Twonky Server 8.5.2, just assume that your admin passwords could be compromised. Here's what you do:
- Allow only trusted IP addresses to access the server.
- If you can, take it off the Internet.
- Put it behind a firewall.
- Consider switching to another media server, so you at least have a chance of getting security updates.
- Monitor your network for odd login attempts.
My Thoughts
This is just another example of why running old, unsupported online software can be risky. A fun
media server can easily cause a significant security vulnerability. If I was using
Twonky, either you shut it down completely, or move to something you feel is more secure.