CVE-2021-33017 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This article provides an overview of CVE-2021-33017, a vulnerability affecting Philips IntelliBridge EC 40 and EC 80 Hub that allows authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel.

Understanding CVE-2021-33017

CVE-2021-33017 is a significant vulnerability identified in Philips IntelliBridge EC 40 and EC 80 Hub, allowing unauthorized access by bypassing authentication through an alternative path or channel.

What is CVE-2021-33017?

The vulnerability in Philips IntelliBridge EC 40 and EC 80 Hub (up to version C.00.04) enables attackers to gain access without authentication via an alternate path or channel, potentially leading to unauthorized control or data compromise.

The Impact of CVE-2021-33017

With a CVSS base score of 8.1 (High Severity), the vulnerability poses a critical risk to affected systems. An attacker exploiting this flaw could compromise system integrity with a high impact on availability, while no confidentiality impact is noted.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-33017

The vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism are detailed below.

Vulnerability Description

The standard access path of Philips IntelliBridge EC 40 and 60 Hub up to version C.00.04 requires authentication. However, there exists an alternate path or channel that allows unauthorized access, bypassing authentication.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: IntelliBridge EC 40 Hub
Vendor: Philips
Versions Affected: Up to C.00.04
Product: IntelliBridge EC 80 Hub
Vendor: Philips
Versions Affected: Up to C.00.04

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors leveraging the alternate path or channel to gain unauthorized access, potentially leading to system compromise or unauthorized control.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-33017, immediate steps, long-term security practices, and the importance of patching and updates are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should implement access controls, monitor for unauthorized activity, and restrict network access to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Establishing robust authentication mechanisms, regular security assessments, and employee training on identifying social engineering attacks can enhance long-term security posture.

Patching and Updates

Philips should release security patches promptly to fix the authentication bypass vulnerability in IntelliBridge EC 40 and EC 80 Hub, ensuring users apply the updates to secure their systems.