CVE-2018-3904 in SmartThings Hub STH-ETH-250
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the camera 'update' feature of video-core's HTTP server of Samsung SmartThings Hub STH-ETH-250 - Firmware version 0.20.17. The video-core process incorrectly extracts fields from a user-controlled JSON payload, leading to a buffer overflow on the stack. An attacker can send an HTTP request to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-3904 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Samsung SmartThings Hub STH-ETH-250 device firmware version 0.20.17. This issue resides in the video-core HTTP server component that handles camera update functionality, making it a significant security risk for IoT devices operating within home and enterprise networks. The flaw specifically affects the processing of user-controlled JSON payloads, creating an exploitable condition that could allow remote attackers to gain unauthorized control over the device. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices in the firmware's handling of external data, which directly violates security best practices for embedded systems and IoT devices.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs within the video-core process when it attempts to extract fields from JSON payloads sent through HTTP requests. The flaw stems from improper bounds checking during JSON parsing operations, where the system fails to validate the length of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the HTTP server context, meaning attackers can exploit it remotely without requiring physical access to the device. The stack-based nature of the overflow aligns with CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking leads to memory corruption.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to users of Samsung SmartThings Hub devices, particularly in environments where these hubs serve as central control points for home automation systems. The remote exploitability means that attackers can potentially compromise the entire smart home ecosystem without requiring physical presence or network access. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability could enable attackers to gain full control over the hub, potentially allowing them to access other connected devices, monitor network traffic, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The impact extends beyond simple device compromise, as the SmartThings Hub often serves as a gateway for numerous IoT devices, making this vulnerability a potential entry point for broader network infiltration.
Security mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3904 should focus on immediate firmware updates from Samsung, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of device compromise, ensuring that IoT devices operate on isolated network segments. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual HTTP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices, particularly around input validation and memory management, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework. Network administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious JSON payloads targeting this specific flaw, while also ensuring that all IoT devices receive regular security updates to address known vulnerabilities.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend to the IoT security landscape, demonstrating how embedded systems often lack proper security controls and input validation mechanisms. This flaw exemplifies the challenges faced by organizations deploying IoT devices in production environments, where security considerations are frequently secondary to functionality and cost. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure software development practices and the need for comprehensive security testing of embedded systems before deployment. Organizations should implement robust vulnerability management processes that include regular security assessments of IoT devices and ensure that firmware update mechanisms are functional and regularly applied to maintain device security.