CVE-2024-36554 in KidsWatch Call Me KW-50
Summary
by MITRE • 02/06/2025
Forever KidsWatch Call Me KW-50 R36_YDR_A3PW_GM7S_V1.0_2019_07_15_16.19.24_cob_h and Forever KidsWatch Call Me KW-60 R36CW_YDE_S4_A29_2_V1.0_2023.05.24_22.49.44_cob_b allow a malicious user to gain information about the device by sending an SMS to the device which returns sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2025
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2024-36554 affects specific firmware versions of Forever KidsWatch Call Me KW-50 and KW-60 GPS tracking devices, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that undermines the security posture of these consumer IoT devices. These devices are designed for child safety monitoring and parental tracking, making them particularly sensitive targets for attackers seeking to exploit their communication channels. The vulnerability manifests through the SMS command interface, where malicious actors can send specially crafted text messages to trigger unintended information leakage from the device's memory or operational parameters.
The technical flaw resides in the improper handling of SMS commands within the device's communication protocol implementation, where the system fails to validate or sanitize incoming messages before processing them. This allows an attacker to craft SMS messages that, when received by the device, cause it to respond with sensitive data including device identifiers, firmware versions, network configuration details, or potentially location information. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-200 - Information Exposure, where the system inadvertently reveals information that could be used for further attacks or system compromise. The flaw specifically relates to insufficient input validation and improper error handling within the SMS processing module, which operates under the assumption that all incoming messages are legitimate and properly formatted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the device ecosystem. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gather intelligence about the device's configuration, firmware version, and potentially network connectivity details that could be leveraged for subsequent exploitation attempts. This information leakage could enable attackers to identify specific device models and their associated security weaknesses, making targeted attacks more effective. The vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and defense in depth, as it allows unauthorized information retrieval through an unauthenticated channel that should remain secure.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1592 - Gather Victim Host Information, where attackers collect device-specific information to inform their attack strategies. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these devices are often deployed in sensitive contexts involving children, making them attractive targets for both opportunistic attackers and those with specific malicious intent. The vulnerability creates a persistent risk for device users, as the information disclosure occurs without requiring physical access or complex authentication mechanisms, making it accessible to anyone with knowledge of the device's SMS interface. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of broader IoT security assessments, particularly when evaluating the communication protocols and input validation mechanisms of mobile tracking devices.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation for SMS commands, ensuring that all incoming messages are authenticated and sanitized before processing. Device manufacturers should consider implementing rate limiting and command whitelisting to prevent unauthorized information retrieval. The firmware should be updated to properly handle malformed or unauthorized SMS commands by either rejecting them outright or providing generic responses that do not disclose sensitive information. Network administrators and device users should also implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous SMS traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while considering the deployment of additional security layers such as encrypted communication channels or secure command interfaces that require proper authentication before executing sensitive operations.