CVE-2017-16322 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 0x9d01e228, the value for the `c_group` 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 identified as CVE-2017-16322 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in the Insteon Hub's PubNub message handling mechanism, specifically within the "cc" channel functionality. This flaw exists in firmware version 1012 and demonstrates a classic security weakness where unvalidated user input is directly copied into a fixed-size buffer without proper bounds checking. The vulnerability resides in the command processing routine s_sonos at memory address 0x9d01e228, where the system employs the dangerous strcpy function to transfer data from the c_group key parameter into a buffer located at stack offset $sp+0x2b0. This buffer allocation of only 32 bytes creates an exploitable condition where any input exceeding this limit will overwrite adjacent stack memory, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution or system crash.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow pattern, where the insecure use of strcpy function without proper size validation creates a predictable memory corruption scenario. The attacker must send an authenticated HTTP request to the Insteon Hub's PubNub service to exploit this weakness, indicating that the attack requires valid credentials or session tokens. The specific memory layout shows that the buffer overflow occurs at the stack pointer plus 0x2b0 offset, suggesting that the system's stack frame organization allows for controlled overwriting of return addresses and other critical stack variables. This type of vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for command and script injection, where malicious input is processed through vulnerable system functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as it provides potential attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the affected Insteon Hub device. The stack-based nature of the overflow means that attackers could overwrite the return address of the s_sonos function, redirecting execution flow to malicious code placed in the stack or potentially overwriting function pointers and other critical data structures. This vulnerability affects smart home automation systems where the Insteon Hub serves as a central controller for home devices, potentially allowing unauthorized users to gain full control over connected home systems. The authentication requirement for exploitation suggests that this vulnerability may be more limited in scope compared to fully unauthenticated attacks, but still represents a significant security risk for environments where the hub's credentials are compromised or where attackers have gained access to legitimate user sessions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16322 should focus on immediate firmware updates from Insteon to address the buffer overflow condition, implementing input validation measures to prevent oversized data from reaching vulnerable functions, and employing stack protection mechanisms such as stack canaries or address space layout randomization. Security architects should also consider network segmentation to limit access to the Insteon Hub's PubNub interface and implement monitoring for suspicious HTTP request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices, particularly the avoidance of dangerous functions like strcpy in favor of safer alternatives such as strncpy or strlcpy that provide bounds checking. Organizations should also establish robust patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates for IoT devices and home automation systems, as these vulnerabilities often remain unpatched for extended periods due to the difficulty of updating distributed IoT infrastructure.