CVE-2023-33745 in RoomCast TA-2400
Summary
by MITRE • 07/28/2023
TeleAdapt RoomCast TA-2400 1.0 through 3.1 is vulnerable to Improper Privilege Management: from the shell available after an adb connection, simply entering the su command provides root access (without requiring a password).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2026
The TeleAdapt RoomCast TA-2400 series devices running firmware versions 1.0 through 3.1 contain a critical improper privilege management vulnerability that fundamentally compromises system security. This vulnerability exists within the device's Android-based operating system implementation where the default shell access obtained through adb connections lacks proper privilege controls. The flaw represents a classic security misconfiguration where the system fails to enforce proper access controls, allowing unauthorized users to escalate privileges without authentication. This issue directly maps to CWE-284 which describes improper access control in software systems, specifically highlighting the failure to properly manage privilege levels within the operating environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the device's insecure default configuration where the su command executes without requiring any authentication credentials. When an attacker establishes an adb connection to the device, they immediately gain access to a shell environment where the su command can be executed to obtain root privileges. This represents a fundamental failure in the device's privilege management architecture, where the system does not properly validate or authenticate privilege escalation requests. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for complete system compromise with minimal effort, as no password or additional authentication mechanisms are required to elevate to the root level. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes the use of privilege escalation techniques to gain administrative access to systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing these devices in corporate or institutional environments. Once an attacker gains access to the device through adb connections, they can execute arbitrary code with full system privileges, potentially leading to complete network compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of services. The vulnerability affects the device's core security model by allowing unauthorized access to system-level functions that should only be available to authorized administrators. This compromise undermines the device's intended security posture and creates potential attack vectors for lateral movement within networks where these devices are deployed. The vulnerability affects both physical and remote attack surfaces, as it can be exploited through direct physical access or network-based adb connections, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical security controls may be insufficient.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling adb access on production devices, implementing proper network segmentation to prevent unauthorized network access, and ensuring that devices are properly secured in their operational environments. The recommended approach involves disabling the adb service entirely unless absolutely necessary for debugging or maintenance purposes, and when adb is required, implementing strict access controls and authentication mechanisms. Additionally, devices should be regularly updated with the latest firmware versions that address this vulnerability, as vendors typically release patches to correct such privilege management flaws. The security controls should also include monitoring for unauthorized adb connections and implementing proper network access controls to prevent unauthorized users from establishing connections to these devices. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of proper privilege management in embedded systems and the need for comprehensive security testing during the development lifecycle to prevent such fundamental flaws from reaching production environments.