CVE-2017-16291 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 s_sun, at 0x9d019854, the value for the `sunset` key is copied using `strcpy` to the buffer at `$sp+0x334`.This buffer is 100 bytes large, sending anything longer will cause a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16291 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the PubNub message handler component of Insteon Hub firmware version 1012. This flaw exists specifically within the "cc" channel processing logic and demonstrates a classic security weakness that has been categorized under CWE-121 as stack-based buffer overflow. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes specially crafted commands transmitted through the PubNub messaging service, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the device's communication interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the cmd s_sun function at memory address 0x9d019854 where the system copies data from the `sunset` key parameter using the dangerous strcpy function without proper bounds checking. The target buffer allocated at stack offset $sp+0x334 has a fixed size of 100 bytes, making it susceptible to overflow when input data exceeds this limit. This particular implementation violates fundamental security principles by employing unsafe string handling techniques that have been widely documented as problematic in cybersecurity literature and are specifically targeted by ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of input validation vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption as it provides an attacker with the capability to overwrite arbitrary data on the stack, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The requirement for an authenticated HTTP request to trigger the vulnerability suggests that the attacker must first establish valid credentials or access to the system, but once achieved, the buffer overflow can be leveraged to gain deeper system control. This vulnerability directly affects the security posture of Insteon Hub devices by creating a persistent attack surface that could be exploited by threat actors to gain unauthorized access to home automation systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16291 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Insteon to address the buffer overflow condition, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected devices and establish monitoring for anomalous PubNub traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and secure coding practices, particularly avoiding unsafe functions like strcpy in favor of safer alternatives such as strlcpy or strncpy with proper length parameters. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to address vulnerabilities in IoT devices that could impact home automation and security systems.