CVE-2020-7232 in Home
Summary
by MITRE
Evoko Home 1.31 devices allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information (such as usernames and password hashes) via a WebSocket request, as demonstrated by the sockjs/224/uf1psgff/websocket URI at a wss:// URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7232 affects Evoko Home 1.31 devices and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that enables remote attackers to extract sensitive authentication data through improperly secured WebSocket communication channels. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the sockjs/224/uf1psgff/websocket URI endpoint within the wss:// protocol, exposing credentials that could compromise the entire device ecosystem. The flaw stems from inadequate access controls and authentication mechanisms within the WebSocket implementation, allowing unauthorized parties to establish connections and retrieve credential information without proper authorization. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and represents a significant weakness in the device's security architecture that violates fundamental principles of secure communication design.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the WebSocket protocol's inherent design characteristics that allow for persistent connections between client and server components. Attackers can leverage the insecure WebSocket endpoint to establish unauthorized communication sessions and extract sensitive information including usernames and password hashes from the device's memory or configuration stores. The wss:// protocol designation indicates that the connection uses TLS encryption, yet the vulnerability exists at the application layer where proper authentication and authorization checks are absent. This creates a scenario where even though the transport layer is encrypted, the application layer remains vulnerable to information disclosure attacks that can be executed without requiring elevated privileges or complex exploitation techniques. The flaw demonstrates poor implementation of the principle of least privilege and inadequate input validation within the WebSocket communication framework.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-7232 extends beyond simple credential theft to potentially enable full device compromise and lateral movement within network environments where Evoko Home devices are deployed. Once attackers obtain the password hashes, they can attempt offline cracking attacks or use the credentials for additional attacks such as credential reuse across other systems. This vulnerability particularly affects IoT deployments where devices may be located in sensitive environments such as homes, offices, or industrial settings where unauthorized access could lead to privacy breaches, physical security compromises, or further network infiltration. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment scenarios. The vulnerability also impacts the device's ability to maintain secure communication channels and can undermine trust in the overall security posture of the connected ecosystem.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical network segments, disabling unnecessary WebSocket endpoints where possible, and implementing proper authentication controls for all communication channels. The recommended approach involves applying firmware updates from Evoko to address the underlying WebSocket implementation flaws, while also deploying network monitoring solutions to detect unusual WebSocket traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing access control lists and firewall rules to restrict access to the vulnerable WebSocket endpoints, ensuring that only authorized systems can establish connections. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their IoT device inventory to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure that all WebSocket implementations follow secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and NIST SP 800-63B guidelines for authentication and credential management. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper security testing for IoT devices and demonstrates the critical need for secure communication protocol implementation in embedded systems.