CVE-2018-3928 in Home Camera 27US
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable code execution vulnerability exists in the firmware update functionality of Yi Home Camera 27US 1.8.7.0D. A specially crafted set of UDP packets can cause a settings change, resulting in denial of service. An attacker can send a set of packets to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3928 represents a critical security flaw within the firmware update mechanism of Yi Home Camera 27US model running firmware version 1.8.7.0D. This issue manifests through the camera's handling of UDP packet sequences during firmware update operations, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically resides in how the device processes incoming network communications related to firmware modifications, allowing for unauthorized manipulation of the device's operational parameters.
This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the camera's network processing routines. When the device receives UDP packets intended for firmware updates, it fails to properly validate the packet contents and structure before applying any changes to the system configuration. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level, where the camera's firmware update handler does not adequately distinguish between legitimate and malicious packet sequences. This lack of proper packet filtering creates an environment where an attacker can craft specific UDP packet payloads that will be interpreted as valid firmware update commands, potentially leading to system instability or complete operational failure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it represents a potential pathway for more severe security compromises. While the primary manifestation results in denial of service, the underlying flaw suggests that the camera's security architecture lacks proper authentication mechanisms for firmware update operations. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to disrupt camera services, making the device unavailable for legitimate users while also potentially creating opportunities for more sophisticated attacks that leverage the compromised update mechanism. The vulnerability affects devices operating with firmware version 1.8.7.0D, indicating that this was likely a known issue that persisted through the device's lifecycle without proper remediation.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a variant of CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-20 Improper Input Validation, which are fundamental weaknesses in software security design. The issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210 Exploitation of Remote Services, as it involves exploitation of network services through crafted network packets. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as the attack could potentially allow for unauthorized system modification. The device's failure to implement proper access controls for firmware update functionality represents a significant architectural weakness that violates security best practices for embedded systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3928 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from the vendor, if available, or implementation of network-level controls to prevent unauthorized UDP packet transmission to affected devices. Network administrators should consider implementing firewall rules to block UDP traffic to the camera's update ports, while also ensuring that devices are configured with strong network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure firmware update mechanisms, particularly for IoT devices, and emphasizes the need for proper authentication and encryption of update processes. Organizations should also consider conducting vulnerability assessments to identify other devices that may be running vulnerable firmware versions, as similar issues may exist in other components of the network infrastructure.