CVE-2024-48544 in Smart Home
Summary
by MITRE • 10/24/2024
Incorrect access control in the firmware update and download processes of Sylvania Smart Home v3.0.3 allows attackers to access sensitive information by analyzing the code and data within the APK file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-48544 represents a critical access control flaw within the firmware update and download mechanisms of Sylvania Smart Home v3.0.3 software. This issue manifests during the application package analysis phase where attackers can exploit improperly secured code and data elements to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and authorization checks that should normally prevent unauthorized data access during the firmware update lifecycle.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves weaknesses in the application packaging and code analysis processes that govern how the smart home system handles firmware updates. Attackers can leverage reverse engineering techniques to examine the APK file contents and identify unprotected data structures or hardcoded credentials that should remain restricted. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control and represents a significant deviation from standard security practices in mobile application development. The flaw essentially creates an attack surface where sensitive system information becomes accessible through code inspection methods.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-48544 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the smart home ecosystem. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could access device configuration details, network credentials, or communication protocols that would allow them to manipulate the smart home devices or establish persistent access to the home network. This weakness directly contradicts the principle of least privilege and violates fundamental security requirements for IoT device management systems. The vulnerability affects the entire firmware update process, making it possible for malicious actors to compromise device integrity during legitimate update procedures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper access control measures throughout the firmware update workflow. Organizations should implement robust code obfuscation techniques to prevent easy reverse engineering of the APK file contents and ensure that sensitive data elements are properly encrypted and protected. The system must enforce strict authorization checks at every stage of the firmware download and update process, implementing proper authentication mechanisms before allowing access to any sensitive information. Security controls should be aligned with NIST SP 800-53 security requirements and follow ATT&CK framework techniques related to credential access and defense evasion. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses in the software supply chain.