CVE-2016-6544 in iTrack Easy
Summary
by MITRE
getgps data in iTrack Easy can be modified without authentication by setting the data using the parametercmd:setothergps. This vulnerability can be exploited to alter the GPS data of a lost device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6544 resides within the iTrack Easy tracking device software ecosystem, specifically targeting the authentication mechanisms governing GPS data modification capabilities. This weakness allows unauthorized parties to manipulate location information associated with lost or stolen devices through a simple parameter manipulation technique. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authentication checks within the device's communication protocol, creating a critical security gap that undermines the integrity of location-based services.
The technical flaw manifests through the cmd:setothergps parameter which should require proper authentication credentials before allowing GPS data modification. However, the implementation fails to validate user authorization status, enabling any attacker who can access the device's communication interface to inject malicious GPS coordinates. This authentication bypass represents a classic case of insufficient authorization controls that directly violates security principles outlined in the CWE-284 weakness classification. The vulnerability specifically targets the device's configuration management interface where legitimate users should be required to authenticate before making operational changes to tracking parameters.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates severe implications for device tracking and location-based security services. An attacker could exploit this weakness to redirect a lost device's location data to false coordinates, effectively disabling location-based recovery mechanisms or providing misleading tracking information to legitimate owners. The impact extends beyond simple data manipulation as it compromises the fundamental trustworthiness of location information, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as device impersonation or location spoofing for malicious purposes. This vulnerability particularly affects mobile device tracking solutions where location integrity is critical for security operations and forensic investigations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6544 should focus on implementing robust authentication mechanisms for all configuration parameters, particularly those related to location data modification. Security patches must enforce proper session validation and user authentication before allowing any GPS data changes, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential harvesting and T1071 for application layer protocols. Organizations should implement parameter validation controls that reject unauthorized modification attempts and establish monitoring procedures to detect suspicious GPS data changes. Additionally, the device firmware should incorporate secure communication channels using encrypted protocols to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks that could exploit this vulnerability, ensuring compliance with industry standards for secure device management and IoT security frameworks.