CVE-2008-7174 in Internet Connectivity Kit
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in the Jura Internet Connection Kit for the Jura Impressa F90 coffee maker allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors related to improper use of the gets and sprintf functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2019
The CVE-2008-7174 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Jura Internet Connection Kit firmware for the Jura Impressa F90 coffee maker, demonstrating how IoT devices can contain fundamental programming errors that expose them to remote exploitation. This vulnerability specifically targets the firmware implementation of network communication protocols within the coffee maker's internet connectivity module, where developers improperly utilized unsafe string handling functions that have been widely documented as dangerous practices in secure software development. The flaw stems from the insecure use of functions like gets and sprintf which do not perform bounds checking on input data, creating predictable buffer overflow conditions that can be triggered remotely through network connections.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper memory management within the device's network stack where user-supplied input is directly processed without adequate validation or size limitations. When the Jura Impressa F90 receives network commands through its internet connection kit, the firmware processes these inputs using vulnerable string manipulation functions that write data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This improper use of gets function allows attackers to supply input data that exceeds the buffer capacity, while sprintf operations without proper length constraints enable the writing of excessive data into memory regions, creating conditions for both denial of service and potential code execution. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the device's network protocol stack, making it accessible through the device's internet connectivity interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-7174 extends beyond simple device disruption to potentially enable full system compromise of the coffee maker's embedded operating system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to cause the device to crash and restart repeatedly, leading to denial of service that prevents legitimate users from accessing the coffee maker functionality. More critically, the buffer overflow conditions can be manipulated to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses and function pointers, potentially allowing remote code execution with the privileges of the running service. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities, both of which are fundamental weaknesses in memory safety that have been extensively documented in the software security community.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access and privilege escalation. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability as a foothold for further network exploration, as IoT devices often serve as entry points for broader network attacks. The vulnerability's remote nature makes it particularly dangerous because it does not require physical access to the device, allowing attackers to compromise the coffee maker from anywhere on the internet. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of IoT security best practices, noting that devices with internet connectivity require robust input validation and memory safety measures. The presence of such vulnerabilities in consumer IoT devices highlights the importance of secure development practices and proper security testing before deployment, as these devices often remain in use for years without firmware updates, creating persistent security risks for users and organizations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-7174 should include immediate firmware updates from Jura if available, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and implementation of network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling internet connectivity for the device if it is not essential, as this would eliminate the attack surface entirely. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that embedded systems and IoT devices require the same security considerations as traditional computing platforms, and that developers must follow secure coding practices including input validation, proper buffer management, and regular security assessments. This case demonstrates the critical need for security-by-design principles in all connected devices, particularly those that handle network communications and user inputs, as the consequences of insecure implementation can extend far beyond the device itself into broader network security implications.