CVE-2023-41270 in UE40D7000
Summary
by MITRE • 11/08/2023
Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts vulnerability in Samsung Smart TV UE40D7000 version T-GAPDEUC-1033.2 and before allows attackers to cause a denial of service via WPS attack tools.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2025
The CVE-2023-41270 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Samsung Smart TV models, specifically the UE40D7000 series running firmware version T-GAPDEUC-1033.2 and earlier. This issue falls under the category of improper restriction of excessive authentication attempts, a weakness that directly impacts the device's ability to manage and control access attempts. The vulnerability manifests through the Wireless Protected Setup (WPS) functionality, which is designed to simplify network authentication for consumers but becomes a vector for malicious activity when not properly secured. The flaw enables attackers to exploit the authentication mechanism in a way that can lead to system instability and service disruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient rate limiting and authentication attempt controls within the WPS protocol implementation on affected Samsung Smart TV models. When attackers utilize specialized WPS attack tools, they can repeatedly attempt authentication without adequate system controls to prevent excessive attempts. This lack of proper authentication throttling allows malicious actors to consume system resources and potentially trigger denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it affects the core network connectivity functionality of the television device, which is essential for its operation. The WPS feature, while intended to provide user convenience, becomes a security liability when the system cannot properly manage the number of authentication attempts.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for both individual users and enterprise environments. The denial of service condition can render the television device unusable for legitimate users, effectively disabling its network connectivity and smart features. The attack surface extends beyond individual devices to potentially impact larger network infrastructures if multiple affected devices exist within the same network environment. Organizations relying on Samsung Smart TVs for digital signage, hospitality services, or other business applications face potential service disruption risks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, making it accessible to threat actors with basic knowledge of WPS attack methodologies. This accessibility increases the likelihood of widespread exploitation and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where device management and security monitoring are limited.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader network security frameworks and attack patterns. The flaw aligns with common attack techniques documented in the attack mitigation strategies, particularly those related to authentication bypass and resource exhaustion attacks. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate affected devices and monitor for unusual authentication patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of firmware update management programs, as many of these devices may not receive timely security updates. According to industry standards, this issue corresponds to CWE-307, which addresses improper restriction of excessive authentication attempts. The exploitation of such vulnerabilities often falls under the attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly within the credential access and defense evasion categories. System administrators should prioritize updating affected firmware versions and implementing additional network controls to prevent unauthorized access attempts that could lead to denial of service conditions. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security practices for IoT devices and the critical need for proper authentication controls in consumer electronics.