CVE-2018-19442 in Botvac Connected
Summary
by MITRE
A Buffer Overflow in Network::AuthenticationClient::VerifySignature in /bin/astro in Neato Botvac Connected 2.2.0 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code with root privileges via a crafted POST request to a nucleo.neatocloud.com:4443/vendors/neato/robots/[robot_serial]/messages Neato cloud URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the authentication client component of Neato Botvac Connected software version 2.2.0. The flaw exists in the Network::AuthenticationClient::VerifySignature function located in the /bin/astro binary, which processes authentication requests from the Neato cloud service. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system receives a crafted POST request containing malformed data that exceeds the allocated buffer space, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged for remote code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper input validation and memory management within the authentication verification process. When the system processes a malicious POST request sent to the nucleo.neatocloud.com:4443 endpoint, the VerifySignature function fails to properly bounds-check incoming data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control flow data, enabling arbitrary code execution with root privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the binary level within the system's core authentication mechanism, making it an ideal target for privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain root access to affected devices, potentially enabling them to install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or use compromised devices as launch points for broader network infiltration. The attack surface is significant as it requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where devices are connected to cloud services without proper network segmentation. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from Neato to address the buffer overflow condition in the authentication client component. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected cloud endpoints and consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious POST requests targeting the vulnerable URL pattern. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing application firewalls or web application firewalls to filter malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable system components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of software vulnerabilities to gain elevated system privileges. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other system components, as this represents a common class of security flaws that can be exploited for remote code execution with administrative privileges.