CVE-2016-10702 in Smartwatch
Summary
by MITRE
Pebble Smartwatch devices through 4.3 mishandle UUID storage, which allows attackers to read an arbitrary application's flash storage, and access an arbitrary application's JavaScript instance, by modifying a UUID value within the header of a crafted application binary.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10702 represents a critical security flaw in Pebble Smartwatch devices running firmware versions through 4.3, where the device's handling of UUID storage creates a significant privilege escalation opportunity. This weakness stems from improper validation and management of unique identifiers within the application binary headers, allowing malicious actors to manipulate these values and subsequently gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and execution contexts. The flaw operates at the firmware level, directly impacting the smartwatch's application sandboxing mechanisms and undermining the security model designed to isolate different applications from one another.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a specific manipulation of UUID values within the header structure of application binaries that are installed on the Pebble device. When an attacker crafts a malicious application binary with modified UUID values, the smartwatch's firmware fails to properly validate these identifiers during the installation process. This validation failure creates an exploitable condition where the device's storage management system incorrectly interprets the modified UUID as a legitimate reference, allowing access to flash storage areas that should be restricted to specific applications. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables arbitrary application access, meaning an attacker can potentially read the storage contents of any installed application, including sensitive data and JavaScript execution contexts that may contain confidential information or execute privileged operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10702 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to access JavaScript instances within other applications, potentially enabling code execution and further exploitation. This vulnerability directly violates the fundamental security principle of application isolation that is essential for embedded systems and mobile devices. The flaw allows for cross-application data leakage and could enable attackers to extract sensitive user information, application credentials, or even manipulate the behavior of legitimate applications. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe in the context of smartwatches, which often store personal health data, location information, and other sensitive user credentials that could be exploited for identity theft or targeted attacks.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of improper input validation and privilege escalation, with direct implications for the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation" and potentially related to CWE-264 "Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls." The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, as attackers can leverage this flaw to move laterally within the device's application ecosystem. Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates from Pebble to address the UUID validation issue, along with network-based monitoring to detect suspicious application installations. Device manufacturers should implement more robust validation mechanisms for application headers and consider implementing additional checks to prevent unauthorized access to application storage spaces. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper secure coding practices in embedded systems and demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in data handling can create significant security risks, particularly in devices that store personal information and execute user applications with varying levels of trust.