CVE-2023-5499 in Reachfar
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Information exposure vulnerability in Shenzhen Reachfar v28, the exploitation of which could allow a remote attacker to retrieve all the week's logs stored in the 'log2' directory. An attacker could retrieve sensitive information such as remembered wifi networks, sent messages, SOS device locations and device configurations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5499 represents a critical information exposure flaw in Shenzhen Reachfar v28 devices, specifically affecting the 'log2' directory functionality. This weakness stems from inadequate access controls and improper directory permissions that allow unauthorized remote actors to gain access to sensitive operational data. The vulnerability manifests through a lack of authentication mechanisms or authorization checks when accessing the log storage directory, creating an attack surface that directly exposes system internals to malicious parties without requiring physical access or elevated privileges. The affected device model represents a mobile tracking or communication device that maintains comprehensive logging of user activities and system events, making the exposed data particularly valuable to threat actors seeking to understand device behavior and user patterns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which defines information exposure as the unintentional disclosure of information to unauthorized actors. In this case, the flaw exists within the application's file system access controls where the 'log2' directory lacks proper access restriction mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by directly accessing the log files through network protocols or web interfaces without requiring valid credentials or authentication tokens. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that adversaries can target the device from outside the local network, potentially through internet-facing services or unsecured network connections. The device's design appears to store sensitive data in plain text format within the log files, including wifi network credentials, communication logs, location data from SOS devices, and device configuration parameters that collectively provide comprehensive insights into user activities and system state.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data disclosure to encompass potential privacy violations, location tracking exposure, and device compromise scenarios. The retrieved logs contain information about remembered wifi networks which could enable attackers to perform network reconnaissance and potentially gain access to additional systems through credential reuse. SMS messages and communication logs provide insights into user behavior patterns, relationships, and potentially sensitive conversations that could be exploited for social engineering attacks or targeted phishing campaigns. SOS device location data represents the most critical exposure since it reveals real-time positioning information of individuals who may be using the device for emergency services or personal safety. Device configuration details could be used to identify specific firmware versions, potentially enabling further exploitation through known vulnerabilities in the device's software stack. This information exposure creates a comprehensive attack vector that allows adversaries to build detailed profiles of device users and their operational environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-5499 should prioritize immediate access control implementation through proper directory permissions and authentication mechanisms. Network segmentation and firewall rules should restrict access to the device's log directories from unauthorized network segments and external connections. The device firmware should implement mandatory authentication for all log access points, ensuring that only authorized personnel with appropriate credentials can retrieve sensitive information. Regular security audits should verify that log directories maintain appropriate access controls and that sensitive data is encrypted both at rest and in transit. Organizations should implement monitoring systems to detect unauthorized access attempts to log directories and establish incident response procedures for handling information exposure events. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in preventing information disclosure through improper access control mechanisms. Device manufacturers should consider implementing automated log rotation and secure deletion protocols to minimize the retention period of sensitive information while ensuring compliance with data protection regulations and privacy standards.