CVE-2017-5237 in EV-07S
Summary
by MITRE
Due to a lack of authentication, an unauthenticated user who knows the Eview EV-07S GPS Tracker's phone number can revert the device to a factory default configuration with an SMS command, "RESET!"
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2020
The CVE-2017-5237 vulnerability affects the Eview EV-07S GPS tracker device, exposing a critical security flaw in its authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability represents a significant weakness in the device's security architecture, as it allows unauthorized individuals to execute administrative commands without proper authentication. The device's design fails to implement any form of authentication verification when processing SMS commands, creating an exploitable condition that undermines the device's security posture and potentially compromises the integrity of location tracking services.
The technical flaw manifests through the device's lack of authentication checks for critical administrative functions. When an unauthenticated user sends the specific SMS command "RESET!" to the device's phone number, the system processes this command without verifying the sender's authorization status. This absence of authentication controls directly violates fundamental security principles and creates an attack vector that allows arbitrary command execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates through a communication channel that is inherently less secure than network-based protocols, making it easier for attackers to intercept and exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device reset functionality. An attacker who obtains the device's phone number can effectively neutralize the device's security protections by reverting it to factory defaults, which typically removes all custom configurations, security settings, and potentially sensitive tracking data. This action can disrupt location tracking services, remove security measures, and potentially expose the device to further exploitation. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to privacy and asset protection, as it allows unauthorized individuals to manipulate tracking devices that may be used for fleet management, asset tracking, or personal security purposes.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-305 authentication weakness, specifically demonstrating the failure to implement proper authentication mechanisms for administrative functions. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables execution of system commands through SMS interfaces. Organizations using such GPS tracking devices face potential risks including unauthorized access to tracking data, disruption of services, and possible exploitation for further attacks within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing robust authentication mechanisms even for devices that may appear to have limited attack surfaces, as these devices often serve as entry points for broader network compromise attempts.
Effective mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of authentication controls for SMS-based administrative commands. Device manufacturers should implement challenge-response mechanisms or require pre-configured authentication tokens before processing critical commands. Network administrators should consider implementing SMS filtering mechanisms to restrict command execution based on sender verification. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar authentication weaknesses in IoT devices and tracking systems. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of following security-by-design principles and implementing proper access controls for all administrative functions, regardless of the communication channel used for command execution.