CVE-2017-2881 in Circle with Disney
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable vulnerability exists in the torlist update functionality of Circle with Disney running firmware 2.0.1. Specially crafted network packets can cause the product to run an attacker-supplied shell script. An attacker can intercept and alter network traffic to trigger this vulnerability.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2881 represents a critical security flaw within the Circle with Disney smart home device firmware version 2.0.1. This device, designed for family entertainment and connectivity, contains a dangerous buffer overflow condition in its torlist update mechanism that can be exploited by remote attackers. The flaw specifically resides in how the device processes network traffic intended for updating its torlist functionality, creating an opportunity for arbitrary code execution through maliciously crafted packets.
This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the network processing routines of the firmware. When the Circle with Disney device receives network packets containing torlist update information, it fails to properly validate the incoming data before processing it. The device's implementation lacks proper bounds checking and memory management controls, allowing attackers to craft packets that exceed expected buffer sizes and overwrite critical memory locations. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires only network interception capabilities rather than physical access or complex social engineering.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple network disruption. Once exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary shell commands on the affected device, potentially gaining complete control over the smart home appliance. This compromise could enable unauthorized access to the device's local network, allowing attackers to monitor network traffic, manipulate device settings, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other connected systems within the home network. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical proximity to the device, making it particularly dangerous in residential and commercial environments where such devices are commonly deployed.
Security researchers have documented that this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically the privilege escalation and execution categories. The attack chain typically involves initial network reconnaissance followed by packet crafting and injection, which corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and script injection. The ability to execute shell scripts remotely represents a significant compromise of the device's security posture and could lead to broader network infiltration. Organizations and individuals should immediately implement network segmentation measures, disable unnecessary network services, and apply firmware updates as soon as they become available to mitigate this vulnerability. The incident highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in IoT device development, particularly in consumer-facing products where device security directly impacts user privacy and safety.