CVE-2018-12716 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Google Home and Chromecast devices before mid-July 2018 are vulnerable to DNS rebinding attacks, allowing remote attackers to access scan_results JSON data and determine the geographical location of web browsers.

Understanding CVE-2018-12716

This CVE highlights a security vulnerability in Google Home and Chromecast devices that could lead to the exposure of sensitive location data.

What is CVE-2018-12716?

The API service on Google Home and Chromecast devices prior to mid-July 2018 lacks protection against DNS rebinding attacks, enabling remote attackers to exploit the presence of these devices on a local network to extract scan_results data and determine browser locations.

The Impact of CVE-2018-12716

The vulnerability allows attackers to identify the geographical location of most web browsers by leveraging the scan_results bssid fields and making geolocation requests via the Google Maps Geolocation API.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-12716

Google Home and Chromecast devices are affected by a vulnerability that exposes sensitive location data.

Vulnerability Description

The API service on these devices does not prevent DNS rebinding attacks from accessing scan_results JSON data, facilitating the extraction of location information.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Google Home and Chromecast
Versions: Devices before mid-July 2018

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the presence of Google Home or Chromecast on a local network to extract scan_results bssid fields and use them in geolocation requests.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting against CVE-2018-12716 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Google Home and Chromecast devices to the latest firmware versions.
Disable unnecessary services on the devices to reduce attack surface.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update all IoT devices to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to isolate IoT devices from critical systems.
Educate users on the risks of IoT devices and best security practices.

Patching and Updates

Google has released patches to address the vulnerability in newer firmware versions.
Users should regularly check for updates and apply them promptly to ensure protection against potential exploits.