CVE-2017-16332 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_event_alarm, at 0x9d01ec34, the value for the `s_aid` 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-2017-16332 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 can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes specially crafted commands transmitted through the PubNub messaging service, which serves as a communication channel between the hub and external services. The attack vector requires an authenticated HTTP request, indicating that while the vulnerability is exploitable, it does require prior access to valid credentials or a method of authentication bypass.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the cmd s_event_alarm function at memory address 0x9d01ec34 where the system copies data associated with the `s_aid` key using the dangerous strcpy function. This function lacks bounds checking and directly copies data from an untrusted source into a fixed-size buffer located at $sp+0x2b0. The buffer allocation is only 32 bytes in size, making it trivial to overflow the allocated space when malicious input exceeds this limit. This particular implementation pattern aligns with CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The use of strcpy instead of safer alternatives like strlcpy or strncpy represents a fundamental security flaw that has been documented in numerous security advisories and vulnerability assessments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the stack-based buffer overflow can potentially allow attackers to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses, function pointers, or other control data structures. This type of memory corruption can enable arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, or complete system compromise depending on the execution environment and access controls. The vulnerability affects the core communication infrastructure of the Insteon Hub, which serves as a central control point for home automation systems, making it particularly concerning for IoT security. The attack requires an authenticated HTTP request, suggesting that an attacker would need to either obtain valid credentials through other means or exploit a related authentication vulnerability to reach this stage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16332 should focus on immediate firmware updates from Insteon to address the buffer overflow condition through proper bounds checking mechanisms. The implementation should replace insecure functions like strcpy with safer alternatives that perform explicit bounds validation. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected system to untrusted networks. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the execution of commands through communication protocols, and represents a prime example of how IoT devices can be compromised through insecure data handling practices. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual PubNub traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and consider deploying intrusion detection systems specifically configured to identify buffer overflow patterns in network traffic. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in embedded systems, particularly those handling external communication protocols.