CVE-2017-14453 in Hub 2245-222
Summary
by MITRE
On Insteon Hub 2245-222 devices with firmware version 1012, specially crafted replies received from the PubNub service can cause buffer overflows on a global section overwriting arbitrary data. An attacker should impersonate PubNub and answer an HTTPS GET request to trigger this vulnerability. A strcpy overflows the buffer insteon_pubnub.channel_ad_r, which has a size of 16 bytes. An attacker can send an arbitrarily long "ad_r" parameter in order to exploit this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14453 affects Insteon Hub 2245-222 devices running firmware version 1012, representing a critical buffer overflow flaw that can be exploited through manipulation of communication with the PubNub service. This issue resides in the device's handling of network responses during its integration with the PubNub messaging platform, creating a pathway for remote code execution and system compromise. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management practices within the device's firmware implementation, specifically in how it processes the ad_r parameter from PubNub responses.
The technical flaw manifests as a classic buffer overflow condition in the global variable insteon_pubnub.channel_ad_r, which is allocated with only 16 bytes of memory. When the device receives a specially crafted HTTPS GET request response from a malicious PubNub endpoint, it performs an unsafe string copy operation using strcpy without proper bounds checking. This allows an attacker to inject data exceeding the 16-byte buffer limit, causing adjacent memory locations to be overwritten with arbitrary data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the network level and requires minimal privileges to exploit, as it only necessitates the ability to impersonate the legitimate PubNub service.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized control over the affected Insteon Hub devices. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially execute arbitrary code on the device, modify network configurations, access sensitive device information, or use the compromised hub as a pivot point for further attacks within a home or corporate network. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only the ability to intercept or spoof HTTPS communications with the PubNub service, making it feasible for attackers with network-level access or those capable of man-in-the-middle attacks. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and control communication.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. Device owners should immediately upgrade to firmware versions that address this specific buffer overflow condition, as the manufacturer likely released patched firmware to resolve the issue. Network administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious PubNub communication patterns and consider deploying network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices, particularly in embedded systems, emphasizing the need for bounds checking and safe string handling functions such as strlcpy or snprintf instead of vulnerable functions like strcpy. Organizations should also review their device update policies and ensure timely deployment of security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in IoT ecosystems. The incident underscores the critical need for proper input validation and memory management in network-connected devices, particularly those handling third-party service communications, as these interfaces often become attack surfaces when proper security controls are not implemented.