The home side had on-loan defender Danny Mills sent off against his former club for foul and abusive language to referee Tony Bates, after having previously been booked.
Mills, who was back in the team after a one-match suspension, was wound up throughout the game by his former team-mates and felt aggrieved just before half-time when former Charlton player Bryan Hughes kicked out at him, but only got a yellow card.
In a poor match Charlton failed to test Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill in the first half and it was the home goalkeeper Nicky Weaver who was the busier.
Fraizer Campbell headed wide early on for the visitors and Weaver then had to make a good save with his legs to deny Michael Turner.
Hull took the lead eight minutes before half-time after Charlton gave the ball away in midfield and it fell kindly for Campbell, who was able to fire past Charlton keeper Weaver.
The home side, who lost defender Sam Sodje after only 22 minutes brought on Izale McLeod after half-time for Lloyd Sam and got back into the game when Jerome Thomas floated in a free-kick and Madjid Bougherra scored from close range for his first goal for the club.
After going down to ten men Charlton were forced to defend and Hull had two great chances to win the game.
Substitute Stephen McPhee forced a fine save from Weaver and in injury-time Ian Ashbee headed wide and Nicky Barmby also failed to hit the target.