CVE-2015-5729 in X10P
Summary
by MITRE
The Soft Access Point (AP) feature in Samsung Smart TVs X10P, X12, X14H, X14J, and NT14U and Xpress M288OFW printers generate weak WPA2 PSK keys, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain sensitive information or bypass authentication via a brute-force attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5729 affects Samsung Smart TVs and Xpress M288OFW printers that implement the Soft Access Point feature, creating a significant security weakness in wireless network authentication. This flaw specifically impacts models including the X10P, X12, X14H, X14J, and NT14U Smart TVs along with the M288OFW printer model. The vulnerability stems from the implementation of WPA2 Pre-Shared Key (PSK) generation within these devices, where the cryptographic randomness is insufficient to produce secure authentication credentials.
The technical flaw lies in the weak key generation algorithm used by the Soft Access Point functionality, which produces PSKs that are susceptible to brute-force attacks due to their predictable patterns or limited entropy. This weakness allows remote attackers to systematically guess or crack the wireless network passwords without requiring extensive computational resources or sophisticated attack techniques. The implementation violates fundamental security principles for wireless network authentication, as it fails to meet the minimum requirements for cryptographic strength necessary to protect against automated attack vectors. According to CWE-326, this represents a weakness in cryptographic implementation where the security of the key generation process is compromised, making the entire wireless network vulnerable to unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized network access, as it enables attackers to potentially gain persistent access to the device and its associated network resources. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to obtain sensitive information stored on or transmitted through the network, including personal data, device configuration details, and potentially other connected systems. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited without requiring physical access to the device or sophisticated technical knowledge beyond basic network reconnaissance. This weakness particularly affects environments where these devices are deployed in residential or corporate settings where network security is paramount, as the weak PSK generation creates an easily exploitable entry point for attackers.
Organizations and users should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the Soft Access Point feature when not actively needed, changing default network configurations to use strong, randomly generated passwords, and monitoring network traffic for unauthorized access attempts. The implementation of network segmentation and additional authentication layers can help reduce the impact of this vulnerability. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1566 Phishing, as attackers can leverage the weak authentication to establish persistent network presence and potentially expand their attack surface. Regular firmware updates should be implemented to address the underlying cryptographic weaknesses, and network administrators should conduct periodic security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other networked devices. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in IoT devices and highlights the need for manufacturers to adhere to established security standards and best practices for wireless network authentication.