CVE-2016-10761 in Unifying Devices
Summary
by MITRE
Logitech Unifying devices before 2016-02-26 allow keystroke injection, bypassing encryption, aka MouseJack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2023
The Logitech Unifying devices vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10761 represents a critical security flaw in wireless peripherals that enabled keystroke injection attacks. This vulnerability affected Logitech Unifying receivers and compatible devices released prior to February 26, 2016, creating a significant risk for users who relied on these wireless input devices for sensitive operations. The flaw was particularly concerning because it allowed attackers to bypass the encryption mechanisms that were supposed to protect wireless communications between the device and the computer.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from weaknesses in the wireless communication protocol used by Logitech Unifying devices. The flaw resides in the way the Unifying receiver processes incoming wireless packets, specifically allowing an attacker to inject malicious keystrokes into the computer's input stream without proper authentication or encryption verification. This represents a classic case of inadequate input validation and insufficient cryptographic security measures, which aligns with CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) and CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues). The vulnerability operates at the wireless protocol level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from a distance without requiring physical access to the target device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple keystroke injection, as it provides attackers with a potential pathway for full system compromise. An attacker could potentially execute commands through injected keystrokes, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where employees might use these devices for accessing confidential information or conducting financial transactions. The attack surface is broad as it affects any device that uses Logitech Unifying technology, including keyboards, mice, and other input peripherals that rely on the same wireless protocol. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1071 (Application Layer Protocol) as attackers can leverage the compromised input stream to execute malicious commands.
The security implications of this vulnerability are compounded by the fact that it was not limited to a single device type but affected an entire ecosystem of wireless peripherals. Users who had devices with firmware versions older than the February 26, 2016 update were vulnerable to this attack, creating a widespread security risk. The vulnerability demonstrates how wireless communication protocols can be compromised when proper cryptographic measures are not implemented or maintained. Organizations that had deployed Logitech Unifying devices without proper security awareness or patch management processes were particularly at risk. The attack vector for this vulnerability was particularly concerning as it could be executed from a distance, potentially allowing attackers to compromise systems without physical proximity. This type of vulnerability is classified as a man-in-the-middle attack that exploits weaknesses in the wireless communication stack, making it a significant concern for both personal and enterprise security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate firmware updates from Logitech, which addressed the underlying cryptographic weaknesses in the wireless protocol implementation. Organizations needed to implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Unifying devices were updated to versions that contained the security fixes. Additionally, users were advised to disable wireless peripherals when not in use or to employ physical security measures such as disabling wireless capabilities entirely. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware for wireless devices and the necessity of implementing security controls that address wireless communication protocols. Network segmentation and monitoring systems were also recommended to detect anomalous keyboard input patterns that might indicate a keystroke injection attack. This vulnerability ultimately demonstrated the critical need for robust cryptographic implementations in wireless communication devices and the importance of regular security updates in maintaining device integrity. The incident served as a reminder that wireless peripherals, despite their convenience, can represent significant security risks when not properly secured.