CVE-2023-50810 in Sonos
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2024
In certain Sonos products before Sonos S1 Release 11.12 and S2 release 15.9, a vulnerability exists in the U-Boot component of the firmware that allow persistent arbitrary code execution with Linux kernel privileges. A failure to correctly handle the return value of the setenv command can be used to override the kernel command-line parameters and ultimately bypass the Secure Boot implementation. This affects PLAY5 gen 2, PLAYBASE, PLAY:1, One, One SL, and Amp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-50810 represents a critical security flaw within the U-Boot bootloader component of Sonos audio devices, specifically impacting models including the PLAY5 gen 2, PLAYBASE, PLAY:1, One, One SL, and Amp. This issue stems from improper handling of the setenv command return value during the boot process, creating a persistent code execution vector that operates with full Linux kernel privileges. The flaw exists in firmware versions prior to Sonos S1 Release 11.12 and S2 release 15.9, making a significant portion of the Sonos product line susceptible to exploitation.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the manipulation of kernel command-line parameters through the flawed setenv command implementation. When U-Boot processes environment variables, it fails to properly validate or check the return status of the setenv operation, allowing attackers to inject malicious parameters that override legitimate boot configurations. This misimplementation directly undermines the Secure Boot framework that Sonos employs to protect against unauthorized code execution, effectively creating a backdoor that persists across device reboots and system updates. The vulnerability operates at the bootloader level, meaning that exploitation occurs before the operating system fully initializes, providing attackers with unprecedented control over the device's execution environment.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to Sonos device security and user privacy. The persistent nature of the exploit means that once an attacker gains initial access, they can maintain control over the device indefinitely without requiring additional authentication or re-exploitation. The Linux kernel privileges granted by this vulnerability enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the highest level of system access, potentially allowing for complete device compromise, data exfiltration, or even use as a pivot point for attacks on connected network infrastructure. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect entire home networks, as Sonos devices often serve as central audio hubs connected to broader IoT ecosystems. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-254, which addresses security weaknesses in the implementation of security features, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' through the use of bootloaders as attack vectors.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2023-50810 requires immediate firmware updates from Sonos to address the U-Boot implementation flaw. Users should ensure their Sonos devices are updated to the latest firmware versions that include patches for this vulnerability, specifically versions S1 Release 11.12 and S2 release 15.9 or later. Network administrators should monitor for unauthorized device access and consider implementing network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if devices remain unpatched. Additionally, organizations utilizing Sonos products in enterprise environments should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potentially compromised devices and establish monitoring procedures for anomalous device behavior. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure bootloader implementations and proper return value handling in embedded systems, highlighting the need for robust security testing throughout the firmware development lifecycle.