CVE-2017-2916 in Circle with Disney
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable vulnerability exists in the /api/CONFIG/restore functionality of Circle with Disney running firmware 2.0.1. Specially crafted network packets can cause an arbitrary file to be overwritten. An attacker can send an HTTP request to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2916 represents a critical security flaw in the Circle with Disney smart home security camera system, specifically affecting firmware version 2.0.1. This issue resides within the application programming interface endpoint designated as /api/CONFIG/restore, which handles configuration restoration processes for the device. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web application layer, allowing malicious actors to exploit a path traversal or file overwrite condition through crafted HTTP requests. The affected system processes configuration restoration requests without properly verifying the destination paths or validating the file names being written to the device's storage filesystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of improper input validation that aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious HTTP requests that target the configuration restoration API endpoint, potentially enabling them to overwrite critical system files or configuration data with arbitrary content. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only network access to the device's web interface and does not necessitate physical proximity or elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous for remote attacks. The attack vector specifically involves sending specially crafted HTTP requests that manipulate the file path parameters within the restore functionality, potentially allowing attackers to write files to locations outside of intended directories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file modification, as it could enable complete system compromise and unauthorized access to the security camera's operational environment. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to overwrite critical system binaries, configuration files, or log data, potentially leading to persistent backdoors, denial of service conditions, or complete device takeover. The vulnerability affects the device's ability to maintain secure configuration states, undermining the fundamental security assumptions of the smart home device ecosystem. This weakness particularly impacts the integrity and availability of the security camera's operational capabilities, as attackers could potentially disable critical security features or redirect the device's functionality to serve malicious purposes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation, access controls, and secure coding practices within the web application framework. System administrators should immediately update to firmware versions that address this vulnerability, as the manufacturer likely released patches to correct the improper path validation within the configuration restoration functionality. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the device's administrative interfaces, while monitoring should be enabled to detect suspicious HTTP requests targeting the affected API endpoints. The implementation of proper authentication mechanisms and rate limiting on API access points would further reduce the attack surface, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1210 for exploiting weaknesses in remote services. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing of IoT devices should be conducted to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities that may exist within other networked systems.