CVE-2017-14452 in Insteon
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the PubNub message handler for the "control" channel of Insteon Hub running firmware version 1012. Specially crafted replies received from the PubNub service can cause buffer overflows on a global section overwriting arbitrary data. A strcpy overflows the buffer insteon_pubnub.channel_cc_r, which has a size of 16 bytes. An attacker can send an arbitrarily long "c_r" parameter in order to exploit this vulnerability. An attacker should impersonate PubNub and answer an HTTPS GET request to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14452 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Insteon Hub's PubNub message handling mechanism, specifically targeting the control channel functionality. This issue resides in firmware version 1012 of the Insteon Hub device, which serves as a central hub for controlling home automation systems through wireless communication protocols. The vulnerability manifests in the insecure handling of messages received through the PubNub messaging service, which is commonly used for real-time communication between IoT devices and cloud services. The flaw occurs when the device processes responses from the PubNub service, particularly focusing on the channel control parameters that govern device communication and configuration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a classic buffer overflow condition involving the strcpy function, which lacks proper bounds checking when copying data into the fixed-size buffer named insteon_pubnub.channel_cc_r. This buffer has a predetermined size of only 16 bytes, making it extremely susceptible to overflow conditions when handling larger input data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows an attacker to craft malicious responses containing an arbitrarily long "c_r" parameter that exceeds the buffer capacity. When the strcpy function attempts to copy this oversized parameter into the 16-byte buffer, it overflows into adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting critical data structures and executable code. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a fundamental flaw in input validation and memory management practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data corruption, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the affected Insteon Hub device. Since the device operates as a central control point for home automation systems, successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain complete control over connected smart home devices, potentially allowing for unauthorized access to security systems, lighting controls, climate management, and other critical home automation functions. The attack vector requires the adversary to impersonate the legitimate PubNub service and respond to HTTPS GET requests initiated by the vulnerable device, making this a sophisticated man-in-the-middle attack scenario. This approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol communication, and demonstrates how attackers can leverage trusted service communications to compromise IoT devices. The vulnerability essentially transforms the legitimate PubNub communication channel into an attack surface that can be exploited to gain persistent access to the home network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security risk and the broader architectural concerns of IoT device security. The most effective immediate solution involves updating the firmware to a patched version that implements proper bounds checking and input validation for the strcpy operation. The fix should replace the insecure strcpy function with safer alternatives such as strlcpy or implement explicit length checks before copying data into the fixed-size buffer. Additionally, network-level protections should be implemented through firewall rules and network segmentation to limit the device's exposure to external PubNub communications. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous PubNub traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing certificate pinning for HTTPS communications to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks that rely on impersonating the PubNub service. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws in memory management can lead to significant security compromises in IoT environments. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of connected IoT devices should be implemented to identify similar buffer overflow conditions that may exist in other firmware components.