CVE-2017-16315 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_sonos, at 0x9d01c3a0, the value for the `s_state` key is copied using `strcpy` to the buffer at `$sp+0x2b0`.This buffer is 32 bytes large, sending anything longer will cause a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-16315 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the Insteon Hub's PubNub message handler component. This issue specifically affects the "cc" channel functionality and manifests in firmware version 1012, creating a dangerous attack surface that allows remote code execution through carefully crafted malicious input. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and unsafe string handling practices within the embedded system's communication framework, making it particularly concerning for IoT security.
The technical flaw occurs at the address 0x9d01c3a0 within the cmd s_sonos function where the value associated with the `s_state` key is copied using the dangerous `strcpy` function. This primitive operation lacks bounds checking and directly copies data from an external source into a fixed-size buffer located at `$sp+0x2b0` without verifying the source data length. The buffer size is only 32 bytes, making it trivial for an attacker to exceed this limit and overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. This classic buffer overflow vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution and system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it enables full remote code execution capabilities for authenticated attackers. The attack requires only an authenticated HTTP request to the affected system, which significantly lowers the barrier to exploitation compared to unauthenticated attacks. Once exploited, the buffer overflow can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, and other critical stack data, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service. This vulnerability directly maps to attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 technique for command and script injection, and T1071 for application layer protocols.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16315 should include immediate firmware updates from Insteon to address the identified buffer overflow vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected device to untrusted networks, while monitoring for unusual PubNub traffic patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The use of input validation and bounds checking mechanisms should be enforced throughout the system, replacing unsafe string functions like `strcpy` with safer alternatives such as `strncpy` or `snprintf`. Additionally, implementing stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and other exploit mitigation techniques can provide additional defense in depth. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their IoT infrastructure to identify similar buffer overflow conditions that may exist in other embedded systems, as this represents a common class of vulnerability in resource-constrained embedded devices that often lack proper memory protection mechanisms.