CVE-2018-19441 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been identified in Neato Botvac Connected 2.2.0 that could allow attackers to guess secret_key values used in authentication/authorization for the robot.

Understanding CVE-2018-19441

This CVE pertains to a flaw in the NeatoCrypto library used in Neato Botvac Connected 2.2.0, which generates non-random numbers for secret_key values, making them vulnerable to brute force attacks.

What is CVE-2018-19441?

The GenerateRobotPassword function in the NeatoCrypto library generates insufficiently random numbers for secret_key values, making it possible for attackers to guess these values by exploiting the lack of entropy in the generation process.

The Impact of CVE-2018-19441

The vulnerability allows attackers with knowledge of the robot's serial number and provisioning time estimation to potentially brute force the secret_key, compromising the robot's authentication and authorization mechanisms.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-19441

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The NeatoCrypto library in Neato Botvac Connected 2.2.0 generates secret_key values with inadequate randomness, relying solely on the robot's serial number and provisioning time for entropy.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Neato Botvac Connected 2.2.0
Vendor: Neato
Versions: All versions are affected

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the lack of entropy in secret_key generation by using the robot's serial number and estimated provisioning time to guess the secret_key.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from this vulnerability requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Neato Botvac Connected to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Avoid sharing the robot's serial number or provisioning details publicly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong, random key generation practices for authentication mechanisms.
Regularly monitor and update cryptographic libraries to ensure secure operations.

Patching and Updates

Neato should release a patch that addresses the issue of insufficient randomness in secret_key generation to mitigate the vulnerability.