CVE-2018-19441 in Botvac Connected
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Neato Botvac Connected 2.2.0. The GenerateRobotPassword function of the NeatoCrypto library generates insufficiently random numbers for robot secret_key values used for local and cloud authentication/authorization. If an attacker knows the serial number and is able to estimate the time of first provisioning of a robot, he is able to brute force the generated secret_key of the robot. This is because the entropy of the secret_key exclusively relies on these two values, due to not seeding the random generator and using several constant inputs for secret_key computation. Serial numbers are printed on the packaging and equal the MAC address of the robot.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2024
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2018-19441 affects the Neato Botvac Connected 2.2.0 system where the NeatoCrypto library's GenerateRobotPassword function fails to produce cryptographically secure random numbers for robot secret_key values. This weakness stems from the implementation's reliance on predictable inputs for secret_key computation, specifically the robot's serial number and the time of first provisioning. The cryptographic weakness manifests through insufficient entropy in the generated keys, making them vulnerable to brute force attacks when an attacker possesses knowledge of the serial number and can estimate the provisioning timeframe. This flaw directly violates fundamental cryptographic principles outlined in CWE-330, which addresses the use of insubstantial entropy in security-critical functions. The vulnerability represents a critical design flaw in the system's authentication infrastructure where the randomness of cryptographic keys is compromised by deterministic input sources rather than proper entropy injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential guessing as it compromises the entire authentication framework for Neato robot vacuums. Attackers who obtain a robot's serial number from packaging can easily calculate the secret_key by brute forcing the time window of initial provisioning, effectively gaining unauthorized access to both local and cloud authentication systems. The serial number being equivalent to the MAC address provides attackers with readily available identifying information, while the time-based component of the key generation process creates a narrow window for successful brute force attempts. This vulnerability creates a persistent security risk for all affected Neato Botvac devices, as the compromised authentication mechanism allows attackers to gain control over robot operations, potentially enabling remote command execution and unauthorized data access. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials compromise, while also demonstrating poor random number generation practices that fall under CWE-330's scope of insufficient entropy.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper cryptographic random number generation within the NeatoCrypto library. System administrators should ensure that all random number generators are properly seeded with sufficient entropy sources, ideally incorporating hardware-based random number generation or system-level entropy pools. The secret_key computation process must be redesigned to incorporate unpredictable inputs such as system timestamps, hardware-specific identifiers, or cryptographic nonce values that cannot be easily predicted or calculated by attackers. Organizations should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to robot devices, while also considering firmware updates that address the underlying cryptographic implementation. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-90A for random number generation, ensuring that cryptographic keys are generated using cryptographically secure methods that provide adequate entropy and resistance to brute force attacks. The affected systems require immediate patching to address the root cause of insufficient randomness in secret key generation, as the current implementation fails to meet basic security requirements for authentication mechanisms.