CVE-2018-8858 in VGo Robot
Summary
by MITRE
If an attacker has access to the firmware from the VGo Robot (Versions 3.0.3.52164 and 3.0.3.53662. Prior versions may also be affected) they may be able to extract credentials.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8858 affects the VGo Robot firmware versions 3.0.3.52164 and 3.0.3.53662, with potential impacts extending to prior versions. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the device's firmware implementation that directly compromises credential security. The vulnerability arises from insufficient protection mechanisms within the firmware that allow unauthorized extraction of authentication credentials when an attacker gains physical or logical access to the device firmware. The VGo Robot is a telepresence device commonly used in enterprise environments for remote collaboration, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that rely on such systems for business continuity and secure communication.
This flaw constitutes a direct violation of security principles related to credential storage and protection, aligning with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-310 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information in Firmware). The technical implementation appears to store authentication credentials in an unencrypted format within the firmware image, making them accessible to attackers who can extract and analyze the firmware contents. The vulnerability is classified as a firmware-level weakness that bypasses traditional network-based security controls, as the credentials are embedded within the device's software rather than being protected through secure storage mechanisms. This represents a fundamental failure in the device's security architecture, where sensitive authentication data should be protected through proper encryption and access control measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8858 extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with persistent access to enterprise networks and systems that the VGo Robot may be connected to. In enterprise environments, these devices often serve as gateways to internal networks, allowing unauthorized users to gain access to sensitive corporate resources, files, and communications. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges and maintain long-term access to network resources, as the extracted credentials can be used across multiple systems and services. This represents a significant risk for organizations using telepresence robots in secure environments where access control and authentication are critical security requirements.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8858 should include immediate firmware updates from the vendor to address the credential storage vulnerability, along with comprehensive network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should implement strict access controls for firmware images and ensure that device firmware is properly secured against unauthorized extraction. The implementation of secure boot mechanisms and firmware encryption should be considered as part of broader security hardening efforts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1072 (Software Deployment Tools) and T1552 (Unsecured Credentials) techniques, as attackers can leverage the device's firmware to extract credentials and deploy malicious software. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of all telepresence and IoT devices within their network infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and access control policies should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of credential compromise, while regular security audits should verify that firmware updates are properly implemented and that no unauthorized firmware modifications have occurred.