CVE-2017-8176 in IPTV STB
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei IPTV STB with earlier than IPTV STB V100R003C01LMYTa6SPC001 versions has an authentication bypass vulnerability. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to access the serial interface and modify the configuration. Successful exploit could lead to the authentication bypass and view channels by free.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8176 affects Huawei IPTV Set-Top Boxes running versions prior to V100R003C01LMYTa6SPC001, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that compromises the security posture of these devices. This vulnerability resides within the device's serial interface access control mechanisms, creating an exploitable pathway that allows unauthorized individuals to gain administrative privileges. The flaw stems from inadequate authentication checks that fail to properly validate user credentials before granting access to sensitive system functions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables attackers to manipulate device configurations and potentially access premium content without proper authorization, fundamentally undermining the commercial and security model of IPTV services. This authentication bypass represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and weakens the overall security architecture of the device.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a failure in the serial interface authentication process where the system does not adequately verify the identity of users attempting to access privileged functions. This allows an attacker to bypass the normal authentication procedures and directly access system configuration parameters through the serial interface. The flaw likely manifests in improper input validation or missing access control checks within the device's firmware, particularly in the serial communication layer. Attackers can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary commands, modify device settings, and potentially gain persistent access to the system. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it enables the attacker to manipulate the device's channel configuration, allowing free viewing of premium content that would normally require subscription or payment.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe and multifaceted, affecting both service providers and end users in significant ways. Service providers face potential revenue loss through unauthorized content access and may experience damage to their reputation due to security breaches. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to conduct content piracy operations, potentially leading to substantial financial losses for broadcasters and content owners. Additionally, the compromised device can serve as a foothold for further attacks within the network, as the attacker now has elevated privileges to explore other connected systems or install malicious software. The vulnerability also poses risks to network security infrastructure, as compromised IPTV devices can become part of botnets or be used as launching points for attacks against other networked devices, aligning with tactics described in the mitre ATT&CK framework under initial access and privilege escalation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8176 should focus on immediate firmware updates to the affected Huawei IPTV STB devices, ensuring that all systems are upgraded to version V100R003C01LMYTa6SPC001 or later. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate IPTV infrastructure from critical business networks, reducing the attack surface available to potential exploiters. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining unpatched devices within the network infrastructure. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual serial interface activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing strong access controls for physical and network access to IPTV devices, along with regular security audits, will help prevent unauthorized access. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of updated firmware to ensure that the vulnerability is fully addressed without introducing new issues, following the principle of least privilege and adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the CWE database for authentication bypass vulnerabilities.