CVE-2018-3905 in SmartThings Hub STH-ETH-250
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the camera "create" feature of video-core's HTTP server of Samsung SmartThings Hub STH-ETH-250 devices with firmware version 0.20.17. The video-core process incorrectly extracts the "state" field 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 CVE-2018-3905 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-related functionality through the "create" feature. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and handling of user-controlled data within the JSON payload processing mechanism. The affected device operates as a smart home hub that integrates various IoT devices including cameras, making it a potentially attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise home networks and connected devices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the video-core process attempts to extract and process the "state" field from a JSON payload sent through HTTP requests. The flaw manifests as a classic stack-based buffer overflow where the application fails to properly bounds-check the length of the extracted data before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This improper handling allows an attacker to overflow the buffer and overwrite adjacent stack memory, potentially including return addresses and function pointers. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions. The attack vector requires an unauthenticated HTTP request to the device's web interface, making exploitation relatively straightforward from an attacker perspective.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise, as the Samsung SmartThings Hub serves as a central coordination point for numerous IoT devices within a home environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this buffer overflow could gain unauthorized access to the device's operating system, potentially enabling them to intercept communications between connected cameras and other smart home devices, modify device configurations, or establish persistent access points within the home network. The vulnerability's exploitation could also allow attackers to escalate privileges and access sensitive data stored on the device, including user credentials and device configuration information. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript and T1078.004 for Valid Accounts: Default Accounts, as the compromised device could be used to maintain access and execute malicious commands within the network. The exposure of the video-core component through the HTTP server interface provides an accessible attack surface that could be leveraged for broader network infiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3905 should focus on immediate firmware updates from Samsung to address the buffer overflow condition in the video-core HTTP server implementation. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of the SmartThings Hub to untrusted networks, including firewall rules that restrict HTTP access to the device. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual HTTP traffic patterns or attempts to exploit the vulnerable "create" feature. Organizations and individuals should disable unnecessary services and features on the device, particularly those related to camera functionality that may not be required. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices, particularly around input validation and buffer management, as recommended by OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of IoT devices within home and enterprise networks should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.