Nintendo Confirms QR Code Vulnerability in Original Switch Systems
Nintendo disclosed in a document dated September 10 that a security vulnerability affects QR code functions on the original Nintendo Switch. The risk covers two scenarios: transferring content from the album via the Send to Smartphone feature, and using karts in Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit. Exploitation requires a malicious third party to directly read the QR code displayed on the console or TV screen. Systems below version 23.0.0 are affected; Nintendo has released version 23.0.0. Nintendo Switch 2 is not at risk of console information being obtained.
A document published by Nintendo on September 10 shows that the risk involves two usage scenarios: transferring content from the album through the Send to Smartphone feature, and using karts in Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit. Both functions display a QR code on the console or TV screen.
The vulnerability requires a malicious third party to directly read the QR code on the screen in order to exploit it. Affected devices are original Nintendo Switch consoles running system versions below 23.0.0. The updated version published by Nintendo is 23.0.0. Nintendo also stated that Nintendo Switch 2 does not carry the risk of console information being obtained.
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