CVE-2016-1518 in Wave App
Summary
by MITRE
The auto-provisioning mechanism in the Grandstream Wave app 1.0.1.26 and earlier for Android and Grandstream Video IP phones allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof provisioning data and consequently modify device functionality, obtain sensitive information from system logs, and have unspecified other impact by leveraging failure to use an HTTPS session for downloading configuration files from http://fm.grandstream.com/gs/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-1518 represents a critical security flaw in the Grandstream Wave mobile application and Video IP phones that directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of device provisioning processes. This issue affects versions 1.0.1.26 and earlier of the Grandstream Wave app for Android and the corresponding IP phone hardware, creating a pathway for sophisticated attackers to compromise the entire communication infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper secure communication protocols during the provisioning phase, which is a fundamental requirement for maintaining device security and operational integrity.
The technical implementation of this flaw lies in the auto-provisioning mechanism that relies on unencrypted http:// connections instead of secure https:// protocols when downloading configuration files from the Grandstream provisioning server at fm.grandstream.com/gs/. This design decision creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where adversaries can intercept and manipulate the communication between the device and the provisioning server. The lack of transport layer security means that any data transmitted during the provisioning process, including device configuration parameters, authentication credentials, and potentially sensitive system information, can be viewed, modified, or replaced by malicious actors positioned within the network. This weakness directly maps to CWE-319, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in network communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data interception, as it allows attackers to completely compromise device functionality and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information. Through the manipulation of provisioning data, threat actors can alter device settings, disable security features, redirect communication channels, and potentially establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The ability to obtain sensitive information from system logs adds another dimension to the attack surface, as these logs may contain authentication tokens, device identifiers, network configurations, and other operational data that could be leveraged for further attacks. The unspecified other impacts referenced in the vulnerability description suggest potential for additional attack vectors that could include privilege escalation, denial of service conditions, or the installation of malicious firmware components that could persist even after device reboots.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of secure communication protocols throughout the provisioning process. Organizations should ensure that all devices are updated to versions that enforce HTTPS connections for provisioning data retrieval, eliminating the use of unencrypted http:// endpoints. Network administrators must implement proper certificate validation mechanisms and consider deploying network segmentation to limit the attack surface of provisioning servers. The solution should also include monitoring for unauthorized provisioning activities and implementing automated patch management processes to ensure all devices maintain current security configurations. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure communication in IoT and telecommunications devices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol: DNS, and highlighting the necessity of implementing secure network protocols as outlined in NIST SP 800-53 controls. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security testing of provisioning mechanisms to prevent similar issues in future deployments and ensure compliance with industry standards for secure device management.