CVE-2020-12730 in Flamingo
Summary
by MITRE • 07/15/2021
MagicMotion Flamingo 2 lacks BLE encryption, enabling data sniffing and packet forgery.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2021
The MagicMotion Flamingo 2 represents a significant security vulnerability within the Internet of Things ecosystem, specifically targeting Bluetooth Low Energy implementations in smart home devices. This vulnerability stems from the complete absence of Bluetooth encryption mechanisms within the device's communication protocol stack, creating a fundamental security gap that directly violates established wireless security standards. The device operates without implementing the required encryption algorithms that should safeguard data transmission between the device and its controlling applications, leaving all communications susceptible to passive interception and active manipulation.
The technical flaw manifests as a complete omission of encryption protocols within the Bluetooth stack implementation, specifically failing to utilize the Advanced Encryption Standard AES-128 encryption that is mandated for BLE communications. This absence creates a scenario where any attacker within proximity can utilize standard Bluetooth monitoring tools to capture unencrypted data packets transmitted by the device. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-316, which addresses the weakness of cleartext transmission of sensitive information, and represents a critical failure in the device's cryptographic implementation. The lack of encryption also eliminates the proper authentication mechanisms that should verify device identity and prevent unauthorized access to the communication channel.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables sophisticated attack vectors including man-in-the-middle attacks and packet forgery operations. An attacker can not only eavesdrop on device communications but also inject malicious packets into the network, potentially altering device states or commands without detection. This weakness creates a persistent threat landscape where unauthorized individuals can gain control over smart home devices, manipulate their functionality, and potentially access sensitive user data. The vulnerability affects the core security model of the device, undermining the trust model that users expect from connected home security systems and creating opportunities for cascading attacks within larger IoT ecosystems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper Bluetooth encryption protocols including the adoption of AES-128 encryption and proper key management procedures. Device manufacturers must implement the required security features within their Bluetooth stack implementations and ensure compliance with established security standards such as those defined in the Bluetooth Core Specification. The remediation process should include firmware updates that enable encryption, proper authentication mechanisms, and secure key exchange protocols. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect anomalous communications patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while following ATT&CK framework guidelines for identifying and mitigating Bluetooth-based attack vectors. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify proper implementation of encryption mechanisms and ensure ongoing compliance with security best practices.