CVE-2023-1749 in NXG-100B
Summary
by MITRE • 04/04/2023
The listed versions of Nexx Smart Home devices lack proper access control when executing actions. An attacker with a valid NexxHome deviceId could send API requests that the affected devices would execute.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1749 affects Nexx Smart Home devices and represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of connected home ecosystems. This weakness stems from insufficient authentication and authorization mechanisms within the device communication protocols, allowing unauthorized execution of commands through manipulated API requests. The vulnerability specifically targets the device identification system where a valid NexxHome deviceId serves as the sole authentication factor, creating a dangerous scenario where any attacker possessing this identifier can manipulate device functions without additional verification steps. The implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access as this flaw enables complete command injection capabilities, potentially allowing attackers to control lighting, security systems, and other critical home automation functions.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as a failure in the device's API request validation process, where the system accepts and executes commands based solely on device identifier without proper session management or cryptographic verification. The flaw aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and demonstrates how insufficient access control can lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the OSI model where device communication protocols fail to implement proper authentication tokens or challenge-response mechanisms that would normally prevent unauthorized command execution. This type of flaw commonly occurs in IoT ecosystems where device identifiers are treated as sufficient authentication credentials, creating a single point of failure that attackers can exploit to gain complete control over connected devices.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-1749 is severe and multifaceted, potentially enabling attackers to execute a wide range of malicious activities within compromised home networks. Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability could allow unauthorized individuals to access and control smart home devices including but not limited to lighting systems, door locks, security cameras, and environmental controls. The risk assessment indicates that successful exploitation could lead to privacy violations through unauthorized surveillance, physical security breaches via compromised access controls, and potential data exfiltration from connected home networks. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the interconnected nature of smart home ecosystems, where compromising one device could provide attackers with a foothold for lateral movement throughout the entire home automation infrastructure.
Organizations and individuals affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating device firmware to versions that address the access control flaw, implementing network segmentation to isolate smart home devices from critical network zones, and establishing robust monitoring protocols for unusual API activity. The mitigation strategy should incorporate principle of least privilege concepts where device commands require additional authentication factors beyond simple device identification. Security professionals should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous API request patterns and establish secure communication channels using encrypted protocols. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of multi-factor authentication in IoT environments and aligns with ATT&CK framework's T1078.004 technique related to valid accounts and credential access, emphasizing that even legitimate device identifiers can be exploited when proper access controls are absent. The recommended remediation approach includes comprehensive security assessments of all connected devices and implementation of zero-trust network architectures that verify all communications regardless of device authenticity.