CVE-2015-4080 in Smart Socket
Summary
by MITRE
The Kankun Smart Socket device and mobile application uses a hardcoded AES 256 bit key, which makes it easier for remote attackers to (1) obtain sensitive information by sniffing the network and (2) obtain access to the device by encrypting messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2024
The CVE-2015-4080 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Kankun Smart Socket ecosystem, where both the hardware device and accompanying mobile application employ a hardcoded AES 256 bit encryption key. This fundamental design flaw directly violates established security principles and creates multiple attack vectors for remote threat actors. The vulnerability falls under the category of weak cryptography and hardcoded credentials, which are classified as CWE-327 and CWE-798 respectively within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The presence of a hardcoded encryption key eliminates the possibility of dynamic key generation or secure key management practices that are essential for maintaining device security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the developers' decision to embed a static cryptographic key directly within the device firmware and mobile application code. This approach removes any form of key randomization or secure key exchange mechanisms that would normally be expected in modern IoT security architectures. When network traffic is intercepted through passive sniffing techniques, attackers can easily extract encrypted communications and reverse-engineer the plaintext data by leveraging the known hardcoded key. The AES 256 bit encryption algorithm itself is robust, but the use of a static key renders the entire encryption scheme ineffective, creating a false sense of security for users who believe their communications are protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally compromises device access control and overall system integrity. Remote attackers who successfully intercept network traffic can not only decrypt sensitive information but also encrypt their own malicious messages using the same hardcoded key, thereby gaining unauthorized access to the smart socket device. This allows for complete device control including power state manipulation, configuration changes, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor that remains active regardless of user actions or system updates, making it particularly dangerous for IoT deployments where devices are often left unattended and continuously connected to networks.
This vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and lateral movement. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent access to IoT devices, potentially using them as entry points for broader network infiltration. The hardcoded key represents a classic example of poor secure coding practices that can be exploited across multiple attack scenarios, including man-in-the-middle attacks, replay attacks, and privilege escalation attempts. Organizations implementing IoT solutions must recognize that such vulnerabilities can compromise not just individual devices but entire network infrastructures, as the compromised devices can serve as stepping stones for more sophisticated attacks. The remediation approach requires immediate replacement of the hardcoded key with a secure key management system, implementation of dynamic key generation, and adoption of industry-standard security protocols such as those defined in NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management.