CVE-2017-16346 in Insteon
Summary
by MITRE
An attacker could send an authenticated HTTP request to trigger this vulnerability in Insteon Hub running firmware version 1012. At 0x9d01c368 the value for the s_mac key is copied using strcpy to the buffer at 0xa000170c. This buffer is 25 bytes large, sending anything longer will cause a buffer overflow. The destination can also be shifted by using an sn_speaker parameter between "0" and "3".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16346 represents a classic buffer overflow flaw within the Insteon Hub firmware version 1012, specifically manifesting in the handling of authenticated HTTP requests. This security weakness resides in the firmware's network communication stack where untrusted input data is processed without proper bounds checking, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers with valid credentials to manipulate system memory. The vulnerability operates through a direct copy operation that lacks input validation, making it susceptible to malicious payload injection that can overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs at the memory address 0x9d01c368 where the s_mac key value is copied using the dangerous strcpy function to a destination buffer located at 0xa000170c. This buffer allocation measures only 25 bytes in size, creating a clear mismatch between the expected input length and the actual buffer capacity. When an attacker provides input exceeding the 25-byte limit, the strcpy operation proceeds without bounds checking, causing the buffer to overflow and potentially corrupt adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability is further exacerbated by the presence of the sn_speaker parameter which can shift the destination buffer address by values between "0" and "3", providing additional flexibility for attackers to target specific memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code through controlled memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it provides an authenticated attacker with the capability to potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected device. This represents a critical security risk for home automation systems, as the Insteon Hub serves as a central control point for smart home infrastructure. The buffer overflow could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to the device's operating system, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the ability to control connected smart home devices. The authenticated nature of the trigger means that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to exploit this vulnerability, but once achieved, the potential for system takeover becomes significant. This weakness aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that mandate proper input validation and bounds checking.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from the vendor to address the root cause through proper bounds checking implementation and replacement of dangerous functions like strcpy with safer alternatives such as strlcpy or strncpy. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit the attack surface, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual HTTP request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and proper input validation, particularly in embedded systems where resource constraints often lead to the use of unsafe string handling functions. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for known exploitation patterns and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting similar vulnerabilities in their smart home infrastructure.