CVE-2023-1748 in NXG-100B
Summary
by MITRE • 04/04/2023
The listed versions of Nexx Smart Home devices use hard-coded credentials. An attacker with unauthenticated access to the Nexx Home mobile application or the affected firmware could view the credentials and access the MQ Telemetry Server (MQTT) server and the ability to remotely control garage doors or smart plugs for any customer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1748 represents a critical security flaw in Nexx Smart Home devices that stems from the improper implementation of authentication mechanisms. This issue affects specific versions of the Nexx Smart Home ecosystem where hard-coded credentials are embedded within the device firmware or mobile application code. The flaw allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to the MQTT server infrastructure that serves as the communication backbone for smart home devices. According to CWE-259, this vulnerability directly maps to the weakness of using hard-coded credentials, which violates fundamental security principles and creates persistent access points for malicious actors. The vulnerability exists at the application layer and extends to the network infrastructure that supports smart home automation systems.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the inclusion of static username and password combinations within the device firmware or mobile application binaries. These hard-coded credentials are typically embedded during the development phase and are not intended to be changed by end users or administrators. When an attacker gains access to the Nexx Home mobile application or can interact with the affected firmware, they can extract these credentials through various reverse engineering techniques or by examining network traffic patterns. The extracted credentials provide direct access to the MQTT server which operates on standard ports and protocols used for machine-to-machine communication in IoT environments. This access level allows attackers to not only monitor device communications but also to issue commands that control connected smart home devices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access to a single device. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability can remotely control garage doors and smart plugs across multiple customer installations, creating a significant threat to home security and privacy. The MQTT protocol used by these devices typically operates on port 1883 or 8883, and the hard-coded credentials provide attackers with persistent access to the communication infrastructure that connects all smart home components. This vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to escalate their privileges within the smart home ecosystem and potentially gain access to additional connected devices. The implications align with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocols and T1082 for system information discovery, as attackers can leverage this access to map network topologies and identify additional vulnerable devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1748 require immediate action from both manufacturers and end users to address the hard-coded credential issue. Device manufacturers should implement dynamic credential generation and secure key management practices that prevent the embedding of static credentials in firmware or application code. Users should immediately update to patched firmware versions and change default credentials if possible, though in this case the credentials are hard-coded and cannot be changed by users. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to MQTT servers and limit the attack surface. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure software development practices and proper credential management as outlined in NIST SP 800-53 security controls. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to MQTT servers and establish incident response procedures for IoT security incidents. Regular security assessments of IoT device firmware and mobile applications are essential to identify similar hard-coded credential issues that could compromise entire smart home ecosystems.