CVE-2017-17436 in Gun Safe VT20i
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the software on Vaultek Gun Safe VT20i products. There is no encryption of the session between the Android application and the safe. The website and marketing materials advertise that this communication channel is encrypted with "Highest Level Bluetooth Encryption" and "Data transmissions are secure via AES256 bit encryption." These claims, however, are not true. Moreover, AES256 bit encryption is not supported in the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard, so it would have to be at the application level. This lack of encryption allows an individual to learn the passcode by eavesdropping on the communications between the application and the safe.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2019
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2017-17436 represents a critical security flaw in Vaultek Gun Safe VT20i products that fundamentally undermines the device's claimed security posture. This issue constitutes a classic case of false security marketing where the manufacturer's promotional materials make misleading claims about encryption capabilities while the actual implementation fails to provide any meaningful cryptographic protection. The vulnerability specifically targets the communication channel between the Android mobile application and the physical safe device, creating an attack surface that exposes sensitive authentication information.
The technical flaw manifests as a complete absence of encryption in the communication protocol between the mobile application and the Vaultek safe. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles and can be classified under CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in software implementations. The absence of encryption creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where an adversary can intercept and analyze the communication stream between the legitimate mobile application and the safe device. The Bluetooth Low Energy protocol itself does not support AES256 bit encryption at the transport layer, making the manufacturer's claims technically impossible to fulfill within the standard Bluetooth framework. This misalignment between marketing assertions and actual implementation represents a significant gap in security engineering practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and directly compromises the security of firearms storage systems that rely on digital access control. An attacker with proximity to the device can eavesdrop on the unencrypted communication and extract the passcode required to access the safe. This vulnerability enables a passive attack scenario where an adversary can capture authentication credentials without requiring physical access to the device or sophisticated technical capabilities. The implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access, as this vulnerability could facilitate theft of firearms and other valuable items stored within the safe, potentially leading to criminal activity and safety risks. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects mobile device applications that are commonly used in residential and commercial settings.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security concerns and the underlying architectural flaws. Organizations and individuals should immediately cease using the affected Vaultek VT20i devices until proper encryption mechanisms are implemented or the devices are replaced with secure alternatives. The most effective remediation involves implementing end-to-end encryption between the mobile application and the safe device, potentially through custom application-level encryption protocols that comply with established cryptographic standards. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader ATT&CK framework analysis, particularly focusing on the credential access and initial access phases where adversaries can exploit weak communication channels to obtain authentication information. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are not present in other connected security devices within the organization's infrastructure.