CVE-2023-6950 in Mini 3 Pro
Summary
by MITRE • 04/02/2024
** DISPUTED ** An Improper Input Validation vulnerability affecting the FTP service running on the DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro could allow an attacker to craft a malicious packet containing a malformed path provided to the FTP SIZE command that leads to a denial-of-service attack of the FTP service itself.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-6950 represents a critical weakness in the FTP service implementation of the DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro drone device. This issue falls under the category of improper input validation, a common security flaw that occurs when applications fail to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied data before processing it. The vulnerability specifically targets the FTP SIZE command which is used to retrieve the size of a file on the remote server. When an attacker crafts a malicious packet containing a malformed path parameter, the system fails to properly validate this input, creating an exploitable condition that can lead to service disruption.
The technical flaw manifests when the FTP service processes the SIZE command with an invalid or malformed path string. This improper validation allows attackers to send specially crafted packets that can cause the FTP service to crash or become unresponsive. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the protocol level, where the service fails to implement proper bounds checking or input sanitization mechanisms. The lack of input validation creates a path traversal condition that can be exploited to cause a denial-of-service state, effectively rendering the FTP service unavailable to legitimate users. This type of vulnerability is categorized as CWE-20, which specifically addresses improper input validation issues in software systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can compromise the overall reliability and availability of the drone's communication infrastructure. When the FTP service becomes unavailable, users may lose the ability to transfer flight data, firmware updates, or other critical information between the drone and ground control stations. This denial-of-service condition can occur without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous as any remote attacker with network access to the device can exploit this weakness. The vulnerability affects the drone's operational integrity and can potentially impact mission-critical operations where reliable data transfer is essential.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-6950 should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms within the FTP service implementation. Security measures must include proper bounds checking and sanitization of all input parameters, particularly those used in file system operations. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the FTP service to unauthorized networks. Regular firmware updates and patches should be deployed to address the validation gaps in the system. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous FTP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, and represents a clear example of how insufficient input validation can create exploitable conditions in embedded IoT devices.