CVE-2017-2915 in Circle with Disney
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable vulnerability exists in the WiFi configuration functionality of Circle with Disney running firmware 2.0.1. A specially crafted SSID can cause the device to execute arbitrary shell commands. An attacker needs to send a couple of HTTP requests and setup an access point reachable by the device to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2915 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Circle with Disney smart home device firmware version 2.0.1. This device operates as a WiFi router and access point that connects to the internet, enabling parents to monitor their children's online activities through a dedicated mobile application. The vulnerability specifically affects the device's WiFi configuration functionality, which is accessible through HTTP requests sent to the device's web interface. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the SSID parameter handling mechanism, allowing maliciously crafted SSID values to be interpreted as shell commands by the underlying operating system. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability that falls under CWE-77, which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized command execution, as it provides attackers with full control over the device's operating system. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can execute arbitrary shell commands with the privileges of the device's user account, potentially leading to complete compromise of the device and its network. The attack requires minimal prerequisites since the attacker only needs to send a few HTTP requests and establish an access point reachable by the target device, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without physical access. The device's role as a network gateway means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to all devices connected to the network, potentially enabling lateral movement and further attacks. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries use legitimate system tools to execute commands.
The technical exploitation process involves crafting a malicious SSID value that contains shell metacharacters and commands, which are then processed by the device's WiFi configuration handling code without proper sanitization. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of secure coding principles in embedded systems. The device firmware's failure to properly escape or filter special characters in user-supplied input creates a direct pathway for attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and execute arbitrary code. This vulnerability also exposes the broader security risks associated with IoT devices that lack proper security controls, as these devices often serve as entry points for more extensive network breaches. The attack vector through HTTP requests and access point setup indicates that the vulnerability affects the device's web management interface, which typically requires no additional authentication for basic configuration functions, further reducing the attack complexity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2915 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from the manufacturer, as this vulnerability was likely addressed in subsequent releases. Organizations and individuals should implement network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical infrastructure and establish monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure input handling and proper sanitization of all user-supplied data, particularly in embedded systems where resource constraints should not compromise security. Network administrators should consider implementing firewall rules to restrict access to device management interfaces and regularly audit device configurations to identify potential security misconfigurations. Additionally, the incident highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of IoT devices before deployment, including penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to identify command injection vulnerabilities in network services and web interfaces.