CVE-2018-3906 in SmartThings Hub
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the retrieval of a database field in video-core's HTTP server of Samsung SmartThings Hub. The video-core process insecurely extracts the shard.videoHostURL field from its SQLite database, 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 • 05/17/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-3906 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within Samsung SmartThings Hub's video-core HTTP server component. This flaw resides in the database field retrieval mechanism where the system improperly handles the shard.videoHostURL field extracted from an SQLite database. The vulnerability manifests when the video-core process attempts to process this specific database field without adequate bounds checking or input validation, creating a predictable stack memory corruption scenario. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires only a simple HTTP request to trigger the exploitable condition, making it accessible to remote adversaries without requiring physical access or complex prerequisites.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within the Samsung SmartThings Hub's software architecture. When the video-core process retrieves the shard.videoHostURL field from the SQLite database, it fails to validate the length of the data before copying it to a fixed-size stack buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs because the system assumes the database field will not exceed predetermined buffer limits, but maliciously crafted input can exceed these boundaries. The stack-based nature of the vulnerability means that the overflow corrupts adjacent stack memory, potentially overwriting return addresses, function pointers, or other critical execution data. This flaw directly aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overflow into adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution capabilities, as it provides attackers with a potential pathway to fully compromise the Samsung SmartThings Hub device. Since the video-core process likely operates with elevated privileges within the device's security model, successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install persistent backdoors, modify device configurations, or access sensitive data stored within the hub. The vulnerability's accessibility via HTTP requests means that adversaries can potentially exploit it from any network location without requiring specialized equipment or local access. This remote exploit capability significantly increases the attack surface and makes the device particularly vulnerable to automated scanning and exploitation campaigns targeting IoT devices. The vulnerability also represents a significant concern for network security, as compromised hubs could serve as entry points for broader network infiltration, particularly in home or enterprise environments where these devices often serve as central control points for smart home ecosystems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3906 should focus on immediate patch deployment and network-level protections. Samsung has released firmware updates addressing this vulnerability, and device owners must ensure they apply these patches promptly to eliminate the exploitable condition. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous HTTP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed HTTP requests targeting known vulnerable endpoints, and establishing regular security assessments of IoT device configurations. From a defensive perspective, organizations should consider implementing zero-trust network architectures where even internal devices are subject to strict access controls and continuous monitoring. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems, particularly regarding buffer management and input validation, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution through HTTP-based attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing device firmware integrity checking mechanisms to prevent unauthorized modifications that could reintroduce or create similar vulnerabilities in the future.