CVE-2023-45955 in Light Strip
Summary
by MITRE • 10/31/2023
An issue discovered in Nanoleaf Light strip v3.5.10 allows attackers to cause a denial of service via crafted write binding attribute commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-45955 affects Nanoleaf Light strip firmware version 3.5.10 and represents a significant denial of service weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers. This issue stems from improper handling of write binding attribute commands within the device's communication protocol stack. The flaw exists in the device's ability to process and validate incoming attribute write requests, which can be manipulated by adversaries to disrupt normal device operations. The vulnerability impacts the device's ability to maintain stable communication and operational functionality, potentially rendering the lighting strip non-responsive or unable to process legitimate commands. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as defined by CWE-20, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize incoming data before processing it. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring physical access or authentication credentials, making it a critical concern for IoT device security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the device's Zigbee communication stack failing to properly validate the attributes being written during binding operations. When an attacker crafts malicious write binding attribute commands, the device processes these commands without adequate sanitization or validation checks, leading to a state where the device becomes unresponsive or enters a crash loop. The device's firmware appears to lack proper error handling mechanisms for malformed attribute write requests, causing the system to either freeze or reboot unexpectedly. This behavior aligns with CWE-691, which addresses insufficient control of a resource through a mechanism that allows an attacker to consume or corrupt system resources. The specific nature of the flaw suggests that the device's attribute validation logic does not properly handle edge cases or malformed data structures, creating opportunities for exploitation that can be leveraged to maintain persistent denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can affect the overall reliability and security posture of connected lighting ecosystems. When exploited, the denial of service condition can prevent legitimate users from controlling their lighting devices, potentially creating safety concerns in environments where lighting control is critical for operations. The vulnerability also exposes the broader ecosystem to potential cascading effects, as compromised devices can disrupt network connectivity for other IoT devices within the same Zigbee mesh network. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability provides a low-effort means of disrupting device functionality without requiring advanced technical skills or specialized equipment. The implications for industrial IoT deployments are particularly concerning, as the vulnerability could be exploited to create unauthorized access points or to disrupt operational continuity in facilities that rely heavily on automated lighting controls. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 which covers network denial of service attacks, and demonstrates how IoT devices can serve as entry points for broader network disruption campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from Nanoleaf, which would address the underlying attribute validation flaws in the device's communication stack. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate IoT devices from critical systems, reducing the potential impact of exploitation. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for unusual binding attribute write patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Device administrators should consider implementing access controls and authentication mechanisms where possible, though the vulnerability's remote nature means these protections may be insufficient without firmware patches. Regular security assessments of IoT device fleets should include checks for similar validation weaknesses, as this type of flaw often indicates broader architectural issues within the device's software design. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure firmware update mechanisms to prevent attackers from exploiting these issues while updates are being deployed, as outlined in NIST SP 800-128 guidelines for IoT security. Organizations should also consider implementing device monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns consistent with denial of service conditions, providing early warning capabilities for potential exploitation attempts.