CVE-2018-3918 in SmartThings Hub STH-ETH-250
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable vulnerability exists in the remote servers of Samsung SmartThings Hub STH-ETH-250 - Firmware version 0.20.17. The hubCore process listens on port 39500 and relays any unauthenticated messages to SmartThings' remote servers, which incorrectly handle camera IDs for the 'sync' operation, leading to arbitrary deletion of cameras. 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 identified as CVE-2018-3918 represents a critical security flaw in Samsung SmartThings Hub STH-ETH-250 firmware version 0.20.17 that exposes the system to unauthorized camera deletion operations. This vulnerability resides within the hubCore process which operates on TCP port 39500, creating an attack surface that allows remote exploitation without authentication requirements. The flaw specifically manifests in the improper handling of camera identifiers during synchronization operations between the local hub and SmartThings' remote infrastructure, enabling malicious actors to manipulate camera configurations through crafted HTTP requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authentication mechanisms within the communication protocol between the SmartThings hub and cloud services. The hubCore process acts as a relay that forwards messages to SmartThings' servers without adequate verification of the sender's authenticity or authorization level. When processing synchronization requests containing camera ID parameters, the remote server fails to properly validate these identifiers, allowing attackers to submit malicious camera deletion commands that bypass normal access controls. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks and improper input sanitization that aligns with CWE-285 (Improper Authorization) and CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) categories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data loss, as it compromises the security and integrity of connected surveillance systems within SmartThings ecosystems. Attackers can remotely delete camera configurations without requiring legitimate credentials, potentially disrupting security monitoring operations and creating blind spots in protected environments. The vulnerability affects both residential and commercial installations that rely on SmartThings hubs for home automation and security management, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of these devices. The lack of authentication requirements means that any attacker with network access to port 39500 can exploit this flaw, regardless of their relationship to the legitimate system owner.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3918 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Samsung to address the underlying authorization and input validation issues. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to port 39500, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. Organizations should also consider monitoring network traffic for suspicious HTTP requests targeting the affected port and implementing intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure communication protocols and proper authorization enforcement in IoT devices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to security infrastructure. Additionally, regular security assessments of IoT device configurations and network monitoring should be implemented to detect similar authorization bypass vulnerabilities in other connected systems.