What Is UPnP, And Does It Have Any Security Risk?

What is UPnP and how does it work?

Let’s set off with the UPnP definition. 

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is a protocol that automatically connects devices and applications on a local network and lets them communicate with each other by opening and closing ports. This technique facilitates internal and external connections within a network since it doesn’t require creating ports (channels that transfer data across devices) manually. 

To better understand UPnP meaning, let’s discuss port forwarding – the technique automated by the UPnP protocol.

What is port forwarding?

Port forwarding is a way to connect devices or servers connected to your home network with remote devices or apps. When you open a port on your router, you can use it to transfer and receive data without applying a standard set of security protocols. Simply put, port forwarding “tells” your router’s Network Access Transmission (NAT) firewall, which generally blocks unverified connections, to allow for access to your Local Area Network (LAN) via ports. 

People often use port forwarding to gain remote access to their smart home devices and IoT systems. It’s also a popular solution for online gaming and media streaming. However, you need some tech knowledge to set ports manually. So to streamline this process, many turn to UPnP port forwarding.

UPnP is a zero-configuration protocol that doesn’t involve any manual setup. Instead, the devices on your network are discovered and connected automatically. For instance, this approach is applied to effortlessly connect multiple devices to a printer, console, or smart TV. 

Now, let’s dive a little deeper into this process to understand how it works. 

What does UPnP do?

In a nutshell, when a new device or application is introduced to your local network, UPnP instantly connects it to other devices. Here’s how the process looks like:

1. Once a new device is connected to a network, it receives an IP address. 
2. The device’s IP and other information are shared with other connected devices. 
3. The network comprehends the main functions and services of the new device. 
4. At this point, other devices can interact with the new one, receiving and sending data across the network.

The convenience and ease of use make UPnP a popular solution that covers various users’ goals.

What is UPnP used for?

Here are some common reasons you may want to enable UPnP on a router.

Gaining remote access to smart home and IoT devices

Advanced smart home and IoT systems often require connections with other devices, from your smartphone and PC to smartwatches and household appliances. UPnP establishes quick interactions between various gadgets. Moreover, you can gain remote access to your baby camera, Ring doorbell, or home security system while away from home.

Streaming online games on consoles

Automatic port forwarding is a convenient way to access online games via your console like Xbox or Nintendo Switch. With the help of UPnP, you don’t need to manually set up individual ports for each device and game. Moreover, this technique also allows you to share your gaming experience with other players remotely. 

Connecting video streaming devices

If you own a streaming device like Smart TV, Android TV, Apple TV, or Fire TV, connecting them to your laptop or computer may require a significant effort. UPnP streamlines this process and lets you stream media on any preferred device connected to your home network. 

At this point, UPnP may look like a highly beneficial solution for those operating multiple devices within a single network. But don’t be in a rush. While convenient, UPnP also poses significant threats to your cybersecurity. Let’s explore those potential pitfalls in more detail.

Security risks associated with UPnP

As mentioned above, UPnP doesn’t only work within your local network. It is also accessible remotely, making it a popular target for hackers. The problem is that automatically forwarded ports miss out on authentication and authorization protocols. As a result, they make your network vulnerable to unauthorized access. And since UPnP is a default feature of many routers, it leaves some room for cybercriminals to get through your router’s firewall and compromise your security. 

For example, a hacker can perform an unverified connection to your router to infect other devices, steal your data, or use your network with malicious intent. Let’s explore those risks in greater detail. 

• Unauthorized access to your devices. Suppose your network is exploited due to a UPnP-related cyber attack. In that case, a hacker may take control over any connected device, from your home security systems to your laptop or smartphone.
• Data theft. Hackers can steal sensitive data, such as bank accounts or PayPal credentials, from your devices. Alternatively, you may fall victim to ransomware – a malicious technique allowing cybercriminals to encrypt your personal information and demand ransom. 
• Malware attacks. Threat actors can install malware on your connected devices. These malicious programs may secretly sit in your system for months without you knowing. 
• Malicious activities through your network. A hacker can use your network to conduct illegal activities, such as phishing attacks and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. They can also use your network to spread viruses on other users’ devices. 

Still not sure if these risks are real? Here are several examples of massive cyber attacks based on UPnP vulnerabilities.

Real-life examples of UPnP-related cyber attacks

• Flash UPnP attack. One of the first alarm bells regarding UPnP security rang back in 2008. Hackers used Adobe Flash to take advantage of vulnerabilities in devices supporting UPnP. Once a user clicked a proposed link and downloaded a compromised file, malicious actors gained control over the connected devices with UPnP protocol enabled.
• Mirai botnet. In 2016, another famous UPnP attack took place. In fact, it was the largest DDoS attack at that time. Cybercriminals used a broad botnet to affect a large number of IoT devices supporting UPnP. As a result, one of the largest DNS infrastructure providers was compromised, bringing down many websites, including Twitter and Netflix, in the US and Europe. 
• Pinkslipbot attack. This type of trojan, also known as Qabot or Qbot, emerged in 2008. But it became significantly more dangerous after being updated in 2020. It installs keyloggers on affected devices to spy on users and steal their data. Experts noticed that Pinkslipbot uses UPnP port forwarding queries to determine which ports are open and enter the system with their help.
• Router hacks. In 2018, researchers spotted two extensive attacks that used UPnP security issues to compromise victims’ security. In particular, UPnP was implemented on Broadcom chips, resulting in around 100,000 routers used in a botnet. During another attack, hackers compromised 45,000 UPnP-enabled routers to conduct EternalRed and EternalBlue against Windows devices.

If you want to avoid those risks and protect your local network from cybercriminals, have a look at some preventive measures you can take.

How to protect yourself from UPnP threats

Here is what you can do to protect yourself from UPnP-related dangers. 

Enable UPnP-UP

Universal Plug and Play – User Profile (UPnP-UP) is an additional security layer you can add to your local network. It triggers authorization and authentication protocols missing in common UPnP-enabled devices. Unfortunately, not all devices support this extension, so it’s not a bulletproof solution against the risk of unauthorized access to your network.

Disable UPnP

Of course, disabling UPnP on your router will protect you from all the risks we covered. However, many users find it too convenient to remove it completely. Here, you should decide for yourself whether the benefits of automatic port forwarding outweigh its downsides. Also, note that you can establish connections among your devices using port forwarding – many online tutorials explain this process in detail. However, it requires some technical skills and effort, and will take a while. 

Still, if you decide to disable UPnP, here’s how to do it in a few steps:

1. Type your router’s IP address in your browser’s search bar.
2. After entering your router’s admin panel, head to the Advanced section. 
3. Click Forwarding > Disable UPnP. Note that these steps may vary slightly depending on your router’s firmware.

Use a VPN

If you want to take your network’s security to the next level and protect yourself from many potential threats, including the ones related to UPnP, it’s worth installing a virtual private network (VPN) on your router. This solution will help you stay away from various dangers, from DDoS attacks to trojans, viruses, and phishing scams. A VPN encrypts your data and prevents third parties from monitoring your activities. Installing such a tool on your Wi-Fi router will cover your entire network and all connected devices. 

For more information, read our detailed guide on setting up a VPN on a router. 

Looking for a reliable solution to protect your network and connected devices? Look no further. Get VeePN – a reputable VPN service with all the necessary features to secure your connection. 

Written by VeePN Research Lab VeePN Research Lab is dedicated to provide you latest posts about internet security and privacy.

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