CVE-2018-12638 in Soundtouch App
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the Bose Soundtouch app 18.1.4 for iOS. There is no frontend input validation of the device name. A malicious device name can execute JavaScript on the registered Bose User Account if a speaker has been connected to the app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2023
This vulnerability resides in the Bose Soundtouch application version 18.1.4 for iOS devices, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the application's input validation mechanisms. The issue stems from the absence of proper frontend validation for device names, creating a pathway for malicious input to be processed without adequate sanitization. When users connect speakers to their Bose Soundtouch app, the application fails to properly validate the device names provided by connected devices, allowing potentially harmful input to be stored and processed within the application's environment. This oversight creates a dangerous condition where device names can contain executable JavaScript code, which may then be executed within the context of the user's registered Bose account.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of device name fields during the connection process. When a malicious device attempts to connect to the Bose Soundtouch app, it can submit a device name containing JavaScript payload that gets stored in the application's data structures. Upon subsequent interaction with the application or when the device name is displayed or processed, this malicious JavaScript code can execute within the application context, potentially compromising the user's Bose account. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic input validation failure that allows arbitrary code execution, making it particularly dangerous for users who maintain accounts with associated personal information and device configurations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or application disruption. Since the exploit requires only a malicious device to be connected to the application, it can be executed without requiring user interaction beyond the normal connection process. This makes the vulnerability particularly insidious as it can be exploited by attackers who gain physical access to a user's iOS device or who can somehow connect malicious hardware to the system. The compromised Bose account could potentially allow attackers to access device configurations, user preferences, and other sensitive information associated with the account. The vulnerability affects all users who have connected speakers to their Bose Soundtouch app, creating a widespread security risk that could be exploited at scale.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation" in software applications, and represents a clear failure in the principle of least privilege and secure input handling. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1068 for local privilege escalation through application exploitation. The lack of frontend validation creates a direct attack surface that allows for arbitrary code execution within the application context, making it a significant concern for enterprise security and personal privacy. Organizations and individuals should immediately update to patched versions of the Bose Soundtouch app, and users should avoid connecting unknown or untrusted devices to their Bose Soundtouch systems until the vulnerability is fully addressed. The incident underscores the critical importance of implementing robust input validation mechanisms, particularly in applications that handle user accounts and personal device connections, as failures in this area can lead to account compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user information.