CVE-2017-9381 in VeraEdge
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Vera VeraEdge 1.7.19 and Veralite 1.7.481 devices. The device provides a user with the capability of installing or deleting apps on the device using the web management interface. It seems that the device does not implement any cross-site request forgery protection mechanism which allows an attacker to trick a user who navigates to an attacker controlled page to install or delete an application on the device. Note: The cross-site request forgery is a systemic issue across all other functionalities of the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9381 affects VeraEdge 1.7.19 and Veralite 1.7.481 devices, representing a critical security flaw in the web management interface of these home automation systems. These devices are designed to provide users with the ability to manage applications directly through a web interface, allowing for both installation and deletion of applications on the device itself. The core issue lies in the complete absence of cross-site request forgery protection mechanisms within the device's web interface, creating a systemic weakness that extends beyond simple application management to encompass all functionalities of the device.
This vulnerability stems from the fundamental lack of anti-CSRF token implementation in the web interface, which is classified as CWE-352 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The absence of proper CSRF protection allows attackers to craft malicious web pages that can perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users who visit these pages. When a user navigates to an attacker-controlled website while maintaining an active session with the Vera device, the malicious page can automatically submit requests to the device's management interface without the user's knowledge or consent. This creates a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the device's application environment simply by tricking the user into visiting a compromised webpage, making the attack vector particularly insidious due to its reliance on social engineering rather than direct exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete control over the device's application ecosystem and potentially broader system functionality. An attacker could install malicious applications that compromise the device's security posture, delete legitimate applications that might be required for proper device operation, or even install backdoors that persist across device reboots. The systemic nature of this vulnerability means that all device functionalities are potentially compromised, not just application management, as the same CSRF weakness affects other administrative operations within the web interface. This creates a significant risk for home automation environments where these devices often control critical aspects of home security, lighting, climate control, and other interconnected systems, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to the entire home automation ecosystem.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for application deployment and T1566 for phishing attacks, as the attack relies on user interaction with malicious web content. The lack of CSRF protection means that attackers can leverage various phishing techniques to deliver malicious payloads through compromised websites, email attachments, or other social engineering vectors. The attack requires minimal technical expertise from the attacker while potentially yielding maximum impact, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may not be security-aware. Organizations and individuals using these devices face significant risk of unauthorized device manipulation, potential data exfiltration through malicious applications, and possible use as a foothold for broader network attacks, especially in scenarios where these devices are connected to internal networks or have access to sensitive home automation controls.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include implementing proper CSRF token validation mechanisms across all web interface endpoints, ensuring that each request contains a unique, unpredictable token that is validated server-side before processing. Device vendors should also implement strict session management controls, including proper session timeout mechanisms and secure cookie attributes. Network segmentation strategies should be employed to limit access to these devices to trusted networks only, and users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites while maintaining active sessions with administrative devices. Additionally, regular security updates and patches should be implemented promptly, and organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar systemic weaknesses in their network infrastructure. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies and proper input validation mechanisms in all web applications, particularly those managing critical infrastructure components.