CVE-2018-12923 in HA-Bridge
Summary
by MITRE
BWS Systems HA-Bridge devices allow remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information via a direct request for the #!/system URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12923 affects BWS Systems HA-Bridge devices, which are internet of things appliances designed to bridge communication between different home automation protocols. These devices operate as networked systems that facilitate communication between various smart home ecosystems, making them critical components in home automation infrastructures. The flaw manifests in the device's web interface implementation where certain URIs are accessible without proper authentication mechanisms, creating a significant security exposure for users who deploy these systems in residential or commercial environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the web server component of the HA-Bridge device where the #!/system URI endpoint lacks adequate access controls. This endpoint appears to be intended for system-level operations or diagnostic functions but is accessible through direct HTTP requests without requiring authentication credentials. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient authentication, which falls under CWE-287 - Improper Authentication, and can be classified as a privilege escalation vulnerability within the context of the device's security model. Attackers can exploit this weakness by simply crafting a direct HTTP request to the vulnerable URI, bypassing any intended access controls that should normally be required for system-level operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed system information could provide attackers with detailed insights into the device's configuration, firmware version, network settings, and potentially other sensitive operational parameters. This information can serve as a foundation for further exploitation attempts, including identifying other potential vulnerabilities in the device firmware or network configuration. The exposure of system-level information also enables attackers to perform reconnaissance activities that could lead to more sophisticated attacks targeting the broader home network ecosystem, particularly when these devices are connected to networks with other vulnerable IoT components or traditional network infrastructure.
Organizations and individuals deploying HA-Bridge devices should immediately implement network segmentation and access control measures to limit exposure to this vulnerability. The most effective mitigation strategy involves implementing proper network perimeter controls that restrict direct access to these devices from untrusted networks, while also ensuring that any exposed web interfaces require strong authentication mechanisms. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of access to system-level endpoints, which could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of securing all network-accessible components within IoT ecosystems, as even seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks that extend beyond the immediate device boundaries. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082 - System Information Discovery, where adversaries seek to gather information about the target system to inform subsequent attack phases, and represents a common pattern of insecure direct object references that frequently appear in IoT device implementations.