CVE-2017-16335 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_var, at 0x9d01ee70, the value for the `s_offset` 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-2017-16335 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the PubNub message handler component of Insteon Hub firmware version 1012. This flaw specifically affects the "cc" channel processing functionality and demonstrates a classic programming error that has been classified under CWE-121 as stack-based buffer overflow. The vulnerability exists in the s_event_var function at memory address 0x9d01ee70 where the system employs the dangerous strcpy function to copy data from the s_offset key into a stack buffer. This particular implementation violates fundamental security principles and creates a pathway for arbitrary code execution through carefully crafted malicious inputs.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated HTTP request to be sent to the affected device, indicating that while the attack vector is accessible over the network, it does not represent a fully remote exploit without prior authentication. The buffer in question is allocated at $sp+0x2b0 with a fixed size of 32 bytes, making it particularly susceptible to overflow conditions when input data exceeds this boundary. The use of strcpy without proper bounds checking creates an exploitable condition where an attacker can overwrite adjacent stack memory locations, potentially including return addresses and other critical control data. This type of vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios as it creates opportunities for persistent compromise of the Insteon Hub device. Once exploited, an attacker could gain unauthorized access to the device's control functions and potentially use the compromised hub as a pivot point for accessing other networked devices within the same ecosystem. The vulnerability affects the core messaging infrastructure of the device, which means that legitimate users could be disrupted through service degradation while malicious actors could leverage the overflow to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service. Given that this vulnerability resides in firmware-level components, remediation typically requires firmware updates from the vendor, though the authentication requirement may limit the scope of potential exploitation to those with valid credentials.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates from Insteon to address the underlying buffer overflow condition. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the attack surface and reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access to the device's HTTP interface. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual PubNub message patterns and anomalous HTTP request behaviors that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the elimination of dangerous functions like strcpy in favor of safer alternatives such as strlcpy or strncpy with appropriate bounds checking. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns consistent with buffer overflow exploitation attempts targeting embedded devices in home automation ecosystems.