CVE-2017-14797 in Hue Bridge BSB002 SW 1707040932
Summary
by MITRE
Lack of Transport Encryption in the public API in Philips Hue Bridge BSB002 SW 1707040932 allows remote attackers to read API keys (and consequently bypass the pushlink protection mechanism, and obtain complete control of the connected accessories) by leveraging the ability to sniff HTTP traffic on the local intranet network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14797 affects the Philips Hue Bridge BSB002 firmware version 1707040932, representing a critical security flaw in the smart home ecosystem's communication infrastructure. This issue stems from the complete absence of transport layer encryption for the public application programming interface, creating a fundamental weakness that exposes sensitive authentication credentials to unauthorized parties within the local network environment. The vulnerability directly impacts the security model of the Philips Hue smart lighting system, which relies on API keys for access control and device management.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs at the network protocol level where all communications between the Hue Bridge and connected devices, as well as external applications, are transmitted in plaintext over HTTP without any form of encryption or authentication mechanisms. This design choice violates fundamental security principles and creates an attack surface where any network observer capable of performing packet sniffing operations can intercept and extract API keys from the unencrypted HTTP traffic flowing through the local intranet. The vulnerability specifically targets the pushlink protection mechanism that is supposed to secure initial device pairing and access, but due to the lack of encryption, this protection becomes ineffective.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it allows remote attackers to obtain complete administrative control over all connected accessories within the Philips Hue ecosystem. Once an attacker successfully intercepts the API keys through network sniffing, they can execute arbitrary commands on the bridge, modify lighting configurations, access all connected smart home devices, and potentially use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the local network. This represents a complete bypass of the intended security architecture and undermines the trust model that smart home systems rely upon for user privacy and device security.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-319 (CWE-319: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information) and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1046 (Network Service Scanning) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) when attackers leverage network reconnaissance to identify and exploit unencrypted communication channels. The flaw also relates to CWE-310 (CWE-310: Cryptographic Issues) and CWE-295 (CWE-295: Improper Certificate Validation) as it represents a complete absence of cryptographic protection mechanisms. Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement network segmentation measures, deploy network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious traffic patterns, and consider disabling the public API interface when not actively needed. The recommended mitigation includes upgrading to firmware versions that implement proper transport layer encryption, typically through HTTPS with TLS 1.2 or higher, and implementing network access controls to limit exposure to untrusted network segments. Additionally, users should regularly monitor their network traffic for signs of unauthorized access and consider using network intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts.