CVE-2017-16277 in Insteon
Summary
by MITRE • 01/12/2023
Multiple exploitable buffer overflow vulnerabilities exist in the PubNub message handler for the "cc" channel of Insteon Hub running firmware version 1012. Specially crafted commands sent through the PubNub service can cause a stack-based buffer overflow overwriting arbitrary data. An attacker should send an authenticated HTTP request to trigger this vulnerability. In cmd sn_grp, at 0x9d017658, the value for the `gcmd` key is copied using `strcpy` to the buffer at `$sp+0x270`.This buffer is 16 bytes large, sending anything longer will cause a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-16277 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the Insteon Hub's PubNub message handling system, specifically targeting the "cc" channel functionality. This flaw exists in firmware version 1012 and demonstrates a classic software security weakness that has been categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes specially crafted commands transmitted through the PubNub messaging service, which serves as a communication channel for home automation devices. The affected component resides in the cmd sn_grp function at memory address 0x9d017658, where the system employs the dangerous strcpy function to copy data from the `gcmd` key into a buffer located at stack pointer plus 0x270 offset. This buffer allocation measures only 16 bytes in size, creating an obvious mismatch between the source data length and available destination space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple buffer corruption, as it provides attackers with a pathway for arbitrary code execution within the device's operational environment. The requirement for an authenticated HTTP request indicates that attackers must first establish valid credentials or exploit another vulnerability to gain access to the system's administrative interface. This authentication requirement does not mitigate the severity of the vulnerability, as it still allows for privilege escalation or system compromise once access is obtained. The stack-based nature of the overflow means that attackers can overwrite not only adjacent stack variables but potentially overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data structures. This presents a significant risk to home automation ecosystems where the Insteon Hub serves as a central control point for lighting, security, and environmental systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would likely involve crafting malicious payloads that leverage the buffer overflow to inject and execute arbitrary commands. The use of strcpy without proper bounds checking represents a fundamental security flaw that has been widely documented in software security literature and is a common vector for exploitation in embedded systems. The specific memory layout and stack offset information provided in the vulnerability description suggests that this issue was likely identified through reverse engineering or dynamic analysis of the firmware binary. Security researchers should note that this vulnerability type is particularly dangerous in IoT environments where devices often lack proper memory protection mechanisms and may have limited update capabilities. The vulnerability's presence in a home automation hub underscores the importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems and highlights the need for proper input validation and bounds checking in all data handling operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from Insteon to address the buffer overflow issue, along with network segmentation to limit access to the affected device. Organizations should implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized HTTP requests from reaching the vulnerable system. The implementation of stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and other exploit mitigation techniques would provide additional protection against similar vulnerabilities. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual PubNub traffic patterns or unauthorized HTTP requests that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also emphasizes the importance of regular security assessments and penetration testing of IoT devices, particularly those handling sensitive communication protocols and user data. Given the nature of the flaw, developers should adopt secure coding practices that avoid dangerous functions like strcpy and instead utilize safer alternatives such as strncpy or other bounded string operations that prevent buffer overflows through proper input validation and length checking.