CVE-2017-12094 in Circle with Disney
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable vulnerability exists in the WiFi Channel parsing of Circle with Disney running firmware 2.0.1. A specially crafted SSID can cause the device to execute arbitrary sed commands. An attacker needs to setup an access point reachable by the device to trigger this vulnerability.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12094 represents a critical security flaw in the Circle with Disney smart home device firmware version 2.0.1. This device, designed for family-friendly internet filtering and monitoring, contains a dangerous buffer overflow condition within its WiFi channel parsing functionality that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation of SSID (Service Set Identifier) data during the WiFi network scanning and connection process, creating an environment where maliciously crafted network names can trigger unintended system behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a command injection flaw that occurs when the device processes WiFi network information. Specifically, the Circle with Disney device fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters in SSID strings during the parsing phase, allowing attackers to inject malicious shell commands. When the device encounters a specially crafted SSID containing shell metacharacters, these commands are executed with the privileges of the WiFi configuration process, potentially granting full system access to remote attackers. This issue falls under CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, making it a classic command injection vulnerability that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it allows remote attackers to gain complete control over the affected device without requiring physical access or authentication. An attacker positioned within WiFi range of the vulnerable device can simply create a malicious access point with a crafted SSID to trigger the vulnerability. Once exploited, the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary sed commands on the device, which can lead to complete system compromise including data exfiltration, persistent backdoor installation, and potential lateral movement within the home network. This threat is particularly concerning for a device designed for family use, as it could allow unauthorized access to children's online activities and personal data. The vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.004 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically shell scripting, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from the manufacturer, as the flaw exists within the device's core network processing functionality. Users should ensure their Circle with Disney devices are running the latest firmware version that includes proper input sanitization and command escaping mechanisms. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring of WiFi network discovery activities to detect suspicious SSID patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The recommended security controls include disabling automatic network selection features, implementing network segmentation to isolate the device from critical systems, and maintaining regular security audits of IoT devices within the network. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify unusual shell command execution patterns on networked devices. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it is crucial to apply patches promptly as the window for exploitation remains open for all devices running firmware version 2.0.1 or earlier, and the attack surface extends to any network where the device automatically scans for available WiFi networks.