CVE-2018-11401 in SimpliSafe Original
Summary
by MITRE
In SimpliSafe Original, RF Interference (e.g., an extremely strong 433.92 MHz signal) by a physically proximate attacker does not cause a notification.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11401 affects SimpliSafe Original security systems, specifically exposing a critical weakness in the system's radio frequency communication protocol. This flaw represents a significant security risk as it allows attackers to disrupt the normal operation of the security system through physical proximity and deliberate radio frequency interference. The vulnerability occurs within the 433.92 MHz frequency band, which is commonly used for wireless security device communications, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of this frequency range in residential and commercial security applications. The system's failure to generate notifications when subjected to strong RF interference indicates a fundamental flaw in its monitoring and alert mechanisms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the system's inability to detect or respond appropriately to excessive radio frequency signals that exceed normal operational parameters. When an attacker introduces an extremely strong 433.92 MHz signal within close proximity to the SimpliSafe Original system, the device fails to recognize this interference as a potential security threat. This behavior violates basic security principles where abnormal conditions should trigger alerts to notify system administrators or users. The flaw essentially creates a silent failure mode where the system becomes unresponsive to legitimate security events while simultaneously failing to alert users about the interference. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses improper access to allocated memory, and also reflects elements of CWE-310, concerning cryptographic issues, though in this case the focus is on signal integrity rather than encryption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with a method to disable security notifications without being detected by the system. An attacker with physical proximity to the security system can effectively create a false sense of security by introducing interference that prevents legitimate alarm signals from being processed or transmitted. This creates a window of opportunity for unauthorized access or criminal activity to occur undetected, as the system fails to alert users or monitoring services about the compromised state. The vulnerability undermines the core purpose of the security system, which is to provide reliable detection and notification capabilities. From an attacker perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact method to bypass security measures, aligning with tactics described in the ATT&CK framework under adversary tactics such as privilege escalation and defense evasion. The system's failure to maintain operational integrity during interference conditions also violates security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53, specifically addressing the need for systems to maintain proper state detection and alert mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust RF interference detection and response protocols within the security system. The system should be designed to automatically detect abnormal signal levels and generate alerts when interference exceeds predefined thresholds, regardless of whether legitimate signals are being transmitted. Hardware-level solutions including improved signal filtering, frequency hopping capabilities, and automatic interference detection mechanisms would significantly reduce the risk. Software-based mitigations should include enhanced monitoring of communication channels and implementation of fallback notification systems that activate when normal communication pathways are compromised. Additionally, the system should be configured to maintain communication logs that record interference events for security analysis and incident response. Regular security assessments should verify that the system properly responds to various interference scenarios, and physical security measures should be implemented to prevent unauthorized access to the device's operational environment. These measures align with the security controls recommended in ISO/IEC 27001 and help address the fundamental design flaw that allows RF interference to disable security notifications without alerting system users.