CVE-2018-17176 in Botvac Connected
Summary
by MITRE
A replay issue was discovered on Neato Botvac Connected 2.2.0 devices. Manual control mode requires authentication, but once recorded, the authentication (always transmitted in cleartext) can be replayed to /bin/webserver on port 8081. There are no nonces, and timestamps are not checked at all.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17176 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in Neato Botvac Connected 2.2.0 devices that fundamentally undermines the security model of the robotic vacuum cleaner system. This issue resides in the device's web server implementation on port 8081, where the authentication mechanism fails to implement proper session management controls. The flaw allows attackers to capture valid authentication credentials during manual control operations and subsequently replay these credentials to gain unauthorized access to the device's control functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the complete absence of cryptographic protections in the authentication process. When users engage manual control mode, the system requires authentication but transmits credentials in cleartext format, making them immediately susceptible to interception and reuse. This design flaw directly violates fundamental security principles outlined in CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext transmission. The lack of any form of challenge-response mechanism, including nonces or timestamps, creates an environment where captured authentication tokens remain valid indefinitely, essentially providing a permanent backdoor into the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete compromise of the device's functionality and potential network infiltration. An attacker who intercepts a valid authentication token can execute any command available through the web interface, including controlling the device's movement, accessing its cleaning schedules, and potentially leveraging the device as a pivot point for further attacks within the local network. This vulnerability particularly affects the ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which involves application layer protocol manipulation, as the attacker can manipulate the web server's authentication mechanisms to achieve unauthorized control. The absence of timestamp validation and nonce implementation means that even if the device were to implement some form of rate limiting or detection mechanisms, they would be ineffective against this specific attack vector.
The security implications of this vulnerability are compounded by the fact that the device operates within residential environments where network security may be minimal, providing attackers with additional attack surfaces. The lack of encryption for authentication credentials creates a situation where any network traffic interception, whether through packet sniffing or man-in-the-middle attacks, immediately yields full device control. Organizations and individuals should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts, while manufacturers should prioritize the implementation of proper authentication protocols including timestamp validation, nonce generation, and encrypted credential transmission. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of not relying on authentication mechanisms that do not incorporate session freshness checks, as outlined in security standards addressing session management and authentication protocol design.