CVE-2017-16298 : Security Advisory and Response

CVE-2017-16298, assigned by Talos, involves vulnerabilities in the PubNub message handler for the 'cc' channel of Insteon Hub firmware version 1012, leading to a stack-based buffer overflow.

Understanding CVE-2017-16298

This CVE identifies a critical vulnerability in the Insteon Hub firmware that can be exploited through buffer overflow attacks.

What is CVE-2017-16298?

The vulnerability allows attackers to overwrite arbitrary data by triggering a stack-based buffer overflow through specially crafted commands sent via the PubNub service.

The Impact of CVE-2017-16298

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as HIGH, with confidentiality, integrity, and availability all being significantly compromised.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-16298

This section provides technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in the 'cmd s_schd' function of the Insteon Hub firmware, where a buffer overflow occurs due to copying data to a limited buffer.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: Insteon
Product: Hub
Affected Version: Firmware version 1012

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: High
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Scope: Changed
Base Score: 8.5 (High Severity)

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-16298 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor patches and updates promptly.
Restrict network access to vulnerable devices.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and software.
Implement network segmentation to contain potential attacks.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates to mitigate the risk of exploitation.