CVE-2016-5056 in Lightify Pro
Summary
by MITRE
OSRAM SYLVANIA Osram Lightify Pro before 2016-07-26 uses only 8 hex digits for a PSK.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5056 affects OSRAM SYLVANIA Osram Lightify Pro lighting systems prior to the July 26, 2016 firmware update. This represents a significant cryptographic weakness in the device's security implementation that directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of communications within the lighting ecosystem. The flaw manifests in the use of a Pre-Shared Key (PSK) with insufficient entropy, specifically limiting the key space to only 8 hexadecimal digits. This cryptographic implementation violates fundamental security principles and creates substantial attack surface opportunities for malicious actors seeking to compromise the connected lighting infrastructure.
The technical flaw stems from the inadequate key generation process where the PSK is constrained to just 8 hex digits, which equates to 32 bits of entropy. This limited key space makes the system highly susceptible to brute force attacks and cryptographic analysis. With only 8 hex digits available, the total possible key combinations amount to 16^8 or approximately 4.3 billion possibilities, a number that can be exhaustively enumerated within reasonable timeframes using modern computational resources. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-326, which addresses the use of weak encryption algorithms and insufficient key lengths, and aligns with CWE-327, which specifically covers the use of insecure cryptographic algorithms. The implementation falls short of industry standards such as those specified in NIST SP 800-57 for key length requirements, where 128 bits or higher are recommended for symmetric encryption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential compromise of entire lighting networks and broader IoT ecosystem security. An attacker who successfully compromises a single device could potentially gain access to the network's communication channel, enabling them to intercept, modify, or inject commands to other connected devices within the same network. This represents a critical risk in enterprise and residential environments where lighting systems are integrated with other security and automation systems. The vulnerability also enables potential lateral movement within the network, as compromised devices could serve as entry points for accessing other connected IoT devices or even broader network infrastructure. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1046 (Network Service Scanning) and T1566 (Phishing for Information) as attackers would need to identify and exploit the weak PSK to gain initial access, followed by potential credential harvesting or network reconnaissance activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to address the PSK generation weakness and implement proper key length requirements. Organizations should ensure all affected devices receive the July 26, 2016 or later firmware updates that properly implement cryptographic key generation with sufficient entropy. Additionally, network segmentation should be implemented to isolate lighting systems from critical network infrastructure, and network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual communication patterns or unauthorized access attempts. The solution should also include regular security assessments of IoT devices to identify similar cryptographic weaknesses and ensure compliance with established security standards. Organizations must also consider implementing network access controls and authentication mechanisms beyond the basic PSK to create layered security defenses that protect against potential exploitation of such cryptographic vulnerabilities.