CVE-2018-3877 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A potential vulnerability has been identified in the credentials handler of Samsung SmartThings Hub STH-ETH-250-Firmware version 0.20.17, allowing for a buffer overflow attack.

Understanding CVE-2018-3877

This CVE involves a buffer overflow vulnerability in the HTTP server of the SmartThings Hub, potentially leading to critical security risks.

What is CVE-2018-3877?

The vulnerability in the credentials handler of the SmartThings Hub's HTTP server allows an attacker to overflow the destination buffer by sending a long "directory" value.

The Impact of CVE-2018-3877

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 9.9, indicating a critical severity level with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-3877

This section provides detailed technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in the strncpy function, causing a buffer overflow in a 160-byte capacity buffer, which can be exploited by sending a lengthy "directory" value.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: SmartThings Hub STH-ETH-250
Vendor: Samsung
Firmware Version: 0.20.17

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Scope: Changed

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-3877 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Samsung promptly.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities.
Restrict access to the SmartThings Hub to authorized users only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Samsung and apply patches as soon as they are released.