CVE-2017-9390 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 shell script called connect.sh which is supposed to return a specific cookie for the user when the user is authenticated to https://home.getvera.com. One of the parameters retrieved by this script is "RedirectURL". However, the application lacks strict input validation of this parameter and this allows an attacker to execute the client-side code on this application.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2023
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2017-9390 affects VeraEdge 1.7.19 and Veralite 1.7.481 devices, representing a critical security flaw in home automation systems that could enable remote code execution. This issue stems from insufficient input validation within the connect.sh shell script, which serves as an authentication mechanism for users accessing the Vera home automation platform at https://home.getvera.com. The vulnerability specifically targets the RedirectURL parameter that the script processes, creating a pathway for attackers to inject and execute malicious client-side code on affected devices.
The technical flaw manifests through improper validation of the RedirectURL parameter, which violates security principles outlined in CWE-79 - Cross-Site Scripting and CWE-94 - Improper Control of Generation of Code. The connect.sh script fails to sanitize or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into the application's response, allowing an attacker to manipulate the parameter value and inject arbitrary code that executes within the context of the vulnerable application. This weakness enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and potentially gain unauthorized access to the device's underlying system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for further exploitation within home automation networks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the Vera device, potentially compromising the entire home network infrastructure that relies on the Vera system for security and automation controls. The vulnerability affects devices that are typically located within private networks, making them particularly attractive targets for attackers seeking to establish stealthy access points for broader network infiltration.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in authentication flows. Organizations should ensure that the connect.sh script enforces proper parameter validation, rejects malformed input, and employs proper encoding techniques to prevent code injection attacks. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to Vera devices, while regular firmware updates should be applied to address known vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the need for both defensive measures and monitoring of suspicious network activities.