CVE-2016-5051 in Lightify Home
Summary
by MITRE
OSRAM SYLVANIA Osram Lightify Home before 2016-07-26 stores a PSK in cleartext under /private/var/mobile/Containers/Data/Application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5051 affects OSRAM SYLVANIA Osram Lightify Home devices prior to the 2016-07-26 firmware update, representing a critical security flaw in IoT device configuration management. This issue manifests through the insecure storage of a Pre-Shared Key (PSK) in cleartext within the device's file system at the specific path /private/var/mobile/Containers/Data/Application, which is a direct violation of secure coding practices and fundamental principles of cryptographic key management. The cleartext storage of cryptographic keys exposes the device to potential exploitation by attackers who gain access to the device's file system or through other means of unauthorized data access.
The technical flaw stems from improper implementation of key storage mechanisms within the iOS application container, where the PSK used for device authentication and secure communication is stored without any form of encryption or obfuscation. This represents a CWE-312 vulnerability, specifically categorized as "Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information," which occurs when sensitive data is stored in an unencrypted format. The issue is particularly concerning because it directly undermines the security model of the IoT ecosystem, as the PSK serves as a critical authentication mechanism that would allow unauthorized parties to establish secure connections with the device and potentially gain control over the lighting system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates a pathway for attackers to compromise the entire IoT network managed by the Lightify Home system. Once an attacker obtains the cleartext PSK, they can impersonate legitimate devices within the network, potentially leading to unauthorized access to other connected IoT devices, data exfiltration, or even physical security breaches through manipulation of lighting controls. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers "Application Layer Protocol: DNS," as the compromised device could be used to facilitate further network reconnaissance or command and control activities. The exposure of the PSK also enables lateral movement within the network, as the attacker can use the same credentials to access other systems that may share similar authentication mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to address the cleartext storage issue, with proper implementation of encrypted key storage mechanisms. Organizations should implement secure key management practices that include encryption of sensitive data at rest, regular security assessments of IoT device configurations, and network segmentation to limit the impact of potential compromises. The fix should involve moving from cleartext storage to secure key management solutions such as hardware security modules or secure enclaves, ensuring that cryptographic keys are never stored in plaintext format. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual authentication patterns or unauthorized access attempts that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. This remediation aligns with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management and ISO/IEC 27001 for information security management, which emphasize the importance of protecting sensitive information through appropriate technical and administrative safeguards.