^{CVE-2017-16322:}Buffer overflow vulnerability in Insteon Hub firmware 1012 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted commands sent through the PubNub service.

Multiple exploitable buffer overflow vulnerabilities have been identified in the Insteon Hub running firmware version 1012, specifically in the PubNub message handler for the "cc" channel. The vulnerability occurs when specially crafted commands are sent through the PubNub service, causing a stack-based buffer overflow that can overwrite arbitrary data. In the cmd s_sonos function at memory address 0x9d01e228, the value for the 'c_group' key is copied using the unsafe 'strcpy' function to a buffer located at $sp+0x2b0. This buffer is only 32 bytes in size, so sending a longer string will cause a buffer overflow condition. An attacker needs to send an authenticated HTTP request to trigger this vulnerability, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or device compromise.

Overview

The Insteon Hub is a home automation controller that allows users to manage various smart devices. This vulnerability affects the hub's firmware version 1012, specifically in how it processes messages received through the PubNub service on the "cc" channel. The issue stems from improper input validation and the use of unsafe string handling functions like 'strcpy' without proper bounds checking. When processing the 'c_group' parameter in the s_sonos command, the hub copies the input to a fixed-size buffer (32 bytes) without verifying its length. This allows an attacker who can send authenticated requests to the hub to potentially execute arbitrary code, crash the device, or cause other unpredictable behavior by overflowing the stack buffer. This vulnerability represents a significant security risk for affected Insteon Hub devices as it could lead to complete compromise of the home automation system.

Remediation

Users of the Insteon Hub should take the following actions to remediate this vulnerability:

1. Update firmware: Check for and apply any available firmware updates from Insteon that address this vulnerability (versions newer than 1012).

2. Network segmentation: Place the Insteon Hub on a separate network segment with restricted access to limit potential attack vectors.

3. Firewall configuration: Configure network firewalls to restrict incoming connections to the Insteon Hub, especially from untrusted networks.

4. Monitor for unusual activity: Regularly check the hub for unusual behavior that might indicate compromise.

5. Contact vendor: If no patch is available, contact Insteon for guidance on mitigating this vulnerability.

6. Authentication hardening: Ensure that strong, unique passwords are used for hub authentication to prevent unauthorized access.

References

1. Talos Intelligence Vulnerability Report: https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2017-0483
2. MITRE CVE Entry: CVE-2017-16322
3. Insteon Support: https://www.insteon.com/support