CVE-2017-2883 in Circle with Disney
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable vulnerability exists in the database update functionality of Circle with Disney running firmware 2.0.1. Specially crafted network packets can cause the device to execute arbitrary code. An attacker needs to impersonate a remote server in order to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2883 represents a critical security flaw within the Circle with Disney device firmware version 2.0.1, specifically affecting the database update mechanism. This device, designed for children's entertainment and monitoring, operates with a web-based interface that includes database functionality for managing content and user preferences. The flaw resides in how the system handles database update requests, creating a pathway for malicious code execution through carefully crafted network packets. The vulnerability's exploitation requires network-level access and the ability to impersonate a legitimate remote server, making it particularly concerning for devices that rely on secure communication protocols for updates and content delivery.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authentication checks within the database update functionality. When the Circle with Disney device receives update packets intended for database modifications, it fails to properly verify the authenticity of the source or validate the integrity of the update data. This weakness creates a condition where malicious actors can construct specially crafted packets that appear to originate from legitimate update servers, thereby bypassing normal security controls. The flaw allows for arbitrary code execution because the system processes these packets without adequate sanitization or verification, enabling attackers to inject and execute malicious payloads directly on the device. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-120 category of Buffer Overflow, though it manifests more specifically as a code injection vulnerability due to the nature of database update processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2883 extends beyond simple unauthorized code execution to potentially compromise the entire device ecosystem and user data. Given that Circle with Disney devices are designed for children and often contain sensitive personal information, the exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to stored content. Attackers could potentially gain persistent access to the device, modify or delete user data, and establish backdoors for continued unauthorized access. The device's role in monitoring and recording family activities makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as it could enable surveillance capabilities for malicious actors. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as the initial code execution could be leveraged for further system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2883 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The most effective immediate solution involves updating the device firmware to a version that properly validates update packets and implements robust authentication mechanisms for database operations. Network administrators should implement strict access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized communication attempts, particularly focusing on unusual database update patterns or connections to non-standard servers. The device should be configured to verify the digital signatures of all update packets before processing them, ensuring that only authenticated updates from legitimate sources are accepted. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict update server communications can help prevent unauthorized access to the device's update functionality. Organizations should also establish regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in connected IoT devices and implement proper network monitoring to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.