CVE-2017-12083 in Circle with Disney
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable information disclosure vulnerability exists in the apid daemon of the Circle with Disney running firmware 2.0.1. A specially crafted set of packets can make the Disney Circle dump strings from an internal database into an HTTP response. An attacker needs network connectivity to the Internet to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2023
The CVE-2017-12083 vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw in the Circle with Disney smart home device firmware version 2.0.1. This vulnerability specifically affects the apid daemon component responsible for handling network communications and device management functions. The device operates as a WiFi-enabled smart toy that connects to the internet and can be controlled through mobile applications, making it a potential entry point for attackers seeking to access sensitive information from connected networks. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and output handling within the daemon's HTTP response processing logic, creating a pathway for attackers to extract internal database contents through crafted network packets.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic buffer overflow or improper string handling flaw that allows attackers to manipulate the apid daemon's response generation mechanism. When the daemon receives specially crafted HTTP requests containing malformed data sequences, it fails to properly sanitize the input before incorporating it into HTTP responses. This results in the daemon inadvertently exposing internal database strings and potentially sensitive configuration data through the response payload. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires only network connectivity to the internet to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for devices that are constantly connected to network infrastructure. The flaw is classified as a CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, which is a fundamental weakness that enables various information disclosure and injection attacks. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1083: File and Directory Discovery, as it allows for the extraction of internal system information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed database contents may contain user credentials, device identifiers, network configuration details, or other sensitive metadata that could be leveraged for further attacks. Attackers could potentially use the disclosed information to conduct targeted attacks against connected devices, establish persistent access points, or perform credential stuffing attacks against user accounts associated with the Circle with Disney service. The vulnerability affects all devices running firmware version 2.0.1, which represents a significant user base given the popularity of smart home devices. The disclosure of internal database strings could also reveal implementation details of the device's security mechanisms, potentially aiding in the development of more sophisticated attacks against the same or similar devices. Organizations and individuals should consider this vulnerability as a potential indicator of broader security weaknesses in IoT ecosystems, particularly those involving smart toys and connected home devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12083 should focus on immediate firmware updates provided by Circle with Disney, which would contain patches addressing the improper input validation in the apid daemon. Network administrators should implement firewall rules to restrict access to the device's HTTP endpoints and consider segmenting IoT devices on separate network VLANs to limit potential lateral movement. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary network services, implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of connected IoT devices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in embedded systems, particularly those handling user data and network communications. Organizations should also consider implementing device management solutions that can automatically update firmware and monitor for known vulnerabilities in their IoT device inventory. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust security controls in connected devices, as the exposure of internal system information can significantly increase the attack surface and potential impact of subsequent exploitation attempts.