CVE-2019-17098 in Connect Wi-Fi Bridge App
Summary
by MITRE • 10/04/2020
Use of hard-coded cryptographic key vulnerability in August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge App, Connect Firmware allows an attacker to decrypt an intercepted payload containing the Wi-Fi network authentication credentials. This issue affects: August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge App version v10.11.0 and prior versions on Android. August Connect Firmware version 2.2.12 and prior versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-17098 represents a critical cryptographic flaw in the August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge ecosystem, specifically affecting both the mobile application and firmware components. This weakness stems from the implementation of a hard-coded cryptographic key within the August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge App version 10.11.0 and earlier, as well as the corresponding firmware versions 2.2.12 and prior. The flaw creates a significant security risk by allowing attackers to decrypt intercepted network traffic that contains sensitive Wi-Fi authentication credentials, effectively undermining the fundamental security mechanisms designed to protect wireless network access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and hardcoded keys in security implementations. The August Connect system employs a static cryptographic key that remains unchanged across all deployments, making it susceptible to exploitation by threat actors who can intercept network communications. This hardcoded key serves as a backdoor that enables decryption of payloads containing SSID and password information transmitted between the mobile application and the firmware component. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it eliminates the need for sophisticated cryptanalysis or advanced exploitation techniques, as the key is already known to attackers who can simply extract it from the application binary or firmware image.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk landscape for users of the August Connect system, as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to Wi-Fi networks without requiring additional authentication factors or complex attack vectors. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially enable broader network infiltration, as the stolen credentials can be used to access not only the specific Wi-Fi network but also potentially other systems within the same network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects both Android mobile applications and embedded firmware components, creating a multi-layered attack surface that can be exploited through various entry points. Network traffic interception can occur through man-in-the-middle attacks, packet capture tools, or other passive reconnaissance methods that do not require active exploitation of additional system vulnerabilities.
The security implications of this vulnerability extend to the broader IoT ecosystem and highlight the critical importance of proper cryptographic key management in connected devices. This flaw demonstrates how hardcoded cryptographic material in mobile applications and embedded systems creates persistent security weaknesses that can be exploited for extended periods. Organizations and individuals using August Connect devices face significant risks including unauthorized network access, potential data breaches, and the possibility of lateral movement within compromised network environments. The vulnerability also reflects poor security practices in the development lifecycle, particularly in the handling of cryptographic materials and the absence of proper key rotation mechanisms or secure storage practices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware and application updates to address the hardcoded key issue, implementation of secure key management practices, and deployment of network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their IoT ecosystems to identify similar hardcoded cryptographic vulnerabilities in other connected devices. The remediation process must involve proper cryptographic key generation, secure storage mechanisms, and implementation of key rotation policies. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit the potential impact of credential compromise. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of following established security standards such as NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management and the principles outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project for secure mobile application development. The incident underscores the necessity of threat modeling and security testing during the development lifecycle to prevent such persistent security weaknesses from reaching production environments.