CVE-2022-39866 in SmartThings
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2022
Improper access control vulnerability in RegisteredEventMediator.kt SmartThings prior to version 1.7.89.0 allows attackers to access sensitive information via implicit broadcast.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-39866 represents a critical improper access control flaw within the SmartThings platform's RegisteredEventMediator.kt component. This issue affects versions prior to 1.7.89.0 and stems from inadequate permission validation mechanisms that fail to properly restrict access to sensitive information through implicit broadcast mechanisms. The flaw exists in the event handling subsystem where the system does not sufficiently verify the identity and authorization status of entities attempting to access or receive broadcast events.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in how the RegisteredEventMediator.kt component processes implicit broadcasts within the Android framework. Implicit broadcasts are system-wide messages that can be received by any application that has declared appropriate intent filters, creating a potential attack surface where unauthorized entities might intercept sensitive data. The vulnerability occurs when the system fails to validate whether the receiving component has proper authorization to access the broadcast data, effectively bypassing normal access control checks that should prevent unauthorized information disclosure.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability allows attackers to potentially access sensitive information that should be restricted to authorized applications or users only. The implicit broadcast mechanism in Android applications creates a scenario where malicious actors could exploit the lack of proper access control validation to intercept and process sensitive data that would normally be protected. This could include device status information, user data, configuration details, or other confidential information processed by the SmartThings ecosystem. The attack vector leverages the inherent characteristics of implicit broadcasts while exploiting the absence of proper access control enforcement.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the use of legitimate credentials to gain access to systems. Security practitioners should note that this issue demonstrates how broadcast mechanisms in mobile applications can create unexpected access control weaknesses when proper validation is not implemented. The flaw essentially creates a pathway for information disclosure that bypasses the normal application security boundaries.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper access control validation within the RegisteredEventMediator.kt component and ensuring that all broadcast receivers properly validate the identity and authorization status of entities attempting to access sensitive information. Organizations should update to SmartThings version 1.7.89.0 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper access control enforcement. Additionally, developers should review their broadcast handling implementations to ensure that implicit broadcasts are properly secured and that appropriate permission checks are in place to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. The fix should include implementing proper intent filtering and authorization validation before processing any broadcast events that might contain sensitive information.