CVE-2026-22212 in TinyOS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/13/2026
TinyOS versions up to and including 2.1.2 contain a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the mcp2200gpio utility. The vulnerability is caused by unsafe use of strcpy() and strcat() functions when constructing device paths during automatic device discovery. A local attacker can exploit this by creating specially crafted filenames under /dev/usb/, leading to stack memory corruption and application crashes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-22212 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the mcp2200gpio utility of TinyOS versions 2.1.2 and earlier. This flaw resides in the device path construction logic that occurs during automatic device discovery processes. The vulnerability stems from the unsafe usage of fundamental string manipulation functions strcpy() and strcat() which do not perform bounds checking on destination buffers. When the utility processes device paths under the /dev/usb/ directory structure, it fails to validate input lengths before copying data into fixed-size stack buffers, creating an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled input can exceed buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that align with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, a well-documented weakness in software security. The mcp2200gpio utility operates within the TinyOS framework, which is designed for wireless sensor networks and embedded systems, making this particularly concerning for resource-constrained environments where memory corruption can lead to complete system compromise. The attack vector requires local privilege escalation since an attacker must have access to the /dev/usb/ directory to create malicious filenames that trigger the overflow condition. This represents a classic case of unsafe string handling that violates fundamental security principles outlined in the CERT C Secure Coding Standard.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable arbitrary code execution within the context of the mcp2200gpio utility. When a local attacker crafts filenames with excessive length in the /dev/usb/ directory, the buffer overflow can overwrite adjacent stack memory, potentially corrupting return addresses or other critical program state information. This vulnerability particularly affects embedded systems and sensor network deployments where TinyOS is commonly implemented, as these environments often lack robust memory protection mechanisms. The exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, especially in environments where the utility runs with elevated privileges or where the device discovery process is automatically triggered.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-22212 should prioritize immediate version updates to TinyOS 2.1.3 or later, which contain fixed implementations of the mcp2200gpio utility. System administrators should also implement restrictive file permissions on the /dev/usb/ directory to prevent unauthorized creation of malicious filenames. Additionally, input validation mechanisms should be enhanced to use safe string functions such as strlcpy() and strlcat() which provide bounds checking, or alternatively implement proper buffer length validation before string operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following ATT&CK framework principles for defensive measures, particularly in the area of privilege escalation and execution prevention. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring for unusual file creation patterns in USB device directories and establish robust patch management processes to address similar vulnerabilities in embedded systems.