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CVE-2023-27217: Critical Vulnerability in Belkin Smart Outlet V2

A critical stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the Belkin Smart Outlet V2 can lead to Denial of Service (DoS) via crafted UPNP requests. Organizations should prioritize patching to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.

CRITICALCVSS 9.8 · Published May 18, 2023

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CVE-2023-27217 is a critical stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability found in the ChangeFriendlyName() function of the Belkin Smart Outlet V2 firmware (version 2.00.11420.OWRT.PVT_SNSV2). This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the device through specially crafted Universal Plug and Play (UPNP) requests, potentially leading to a Denial of Service (DoS). With a CVSS score of 9.8, it is classified as critical, highlighting the severe impact it could have on affected systems.

The risk to organizations includes significant disruptions to service availability, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential compromise of device integrity. As the attack vector is network-based and does not require user interaction, the likelihood of exploitation is increased. Organizations using the affected firmware should prioritize remediation efforts to mitigate the associated risks.

Currently, there are no known public exploits for this vulnerability, but its high severity warrants immediate attention. Organizations should address this vulnerability in their patch management cycle to prevent potential exploitation. The urgency for defenders is critical, and they should implement necessary updates as soon as possible.

Given the critical nature of this vulnerability, organizations are urged to take immediate steps to patch affected devices. Failure to do so may result in severe consequences, including service outages and exposure to further security risks.

Vulnerability Details

The official description of CVE-2023-27217 states: "A stack-based buffer overflow in the ChangeFriendlyName() function of Belkin Smart Outlet V2 firmware_2.00.11420.OWRT.PVT_SNSV2 allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via a crafted UPNP request." The vulnerability type is classified as a buffer overflow (CWE-787).

This vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating a critical severity level. The high score reflects a high potential for confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, with the attack vector categorized as network-based and an attack complexity deemed low.

The affected product is the Belkin Smart Outlet V2, specifically the firmware version 2.00.11420.OWRT.PVT_SNSV2. The vulnerability was published on May 18, 2023.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of CVE-2023-27217 is a stack-based buffer overflow in the ChangeFriendlyName() function. Buffer overflows occur when a program writes more data to a buffer than it can hold, which can corrupt data, crash the program, or lead to arbitrary code execution. In this case, the flaw allows attackers to send maliciously crafted UPNP requests that the firmware fails to properly validate.

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based. Attackers do not require any privileges to exploit the vulnerability, nor is user interaction necessary. The attack complexity is low, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited easily.

The impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it can lead to a complete Denial of Service (DoS), affecting the availability and reliability of the device. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are also significant, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Organizations deploying the affected Belkin Smart Outlet V2 firmware face substantial risks. The critical nature of this vulnerability means that it can be exploited with minimal effort by attackers, leading to service disruptions and potential data breaches. The blast radius is significant, affecting any organization that utilizes this firmware.

Due to the high CVSS score of 9.8, organizations should assess this vulnerability's urgency and prioritize patching as part of their immediate security measures. Regular assessments and updates to firmware are crucial to maintaining security posture and reducing the risk of exploitation.

The availability impact is particularly concerning, as a successful exploit can render the device non-functional, leading to downtime and loss of service. Organizations must recognize the importance of timely remediation to mitigate potential fallout from this vulnerability.

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The specific affected version is the Belkin Smart Outlet V2 firmware version 2.00.11420.OWRT.PVT_SNSV2. Organizations should ensure they are using the patched version to mitigate this vulnerability. If version information is missing, it is advisable to consider all versions prior to the vendor's patch as vulnerable.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations should prioritize patching the affected firmware as soon as possible. The recommended action is to upgrade to the latest firmware version provided by Belkin to eliminate this vulnerability. Regularly checking for updates and applying them promptly will help mitigate potential risks.

In addition to applying patches, organizations should implement configuration hardening practices to minimize exposure. This includes disabling any unnecessary services and restricting network access to only trusted devices. Network controls should be established to monitor and block suspicious traffic targeting the vulnerability.

Monitoring for behavioral anomalies and logging relevant indicators will help in early detection of any attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Organizations should ensure that their security teams are aware of this vulnerability and are prepared to respond to any incidents effectively.

Detection Guidance

To detect potential exploitation of CVE-2023-27217, organizations should monitor logs for unusual UPNP request patterns that could indicate an attempt to trigger the buffer overflow. Behavioral anomalies in the performance of the Belkin Smart Outlet V2 should also be reported.

Network signatures should be established to identify and alert on any malicious traffic attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Regular reviews of system changes will help identify any unauthorized modifications that may indicate successful exploitation.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of CVE-2023-27217 lies in its demonstration of the vulnerabilities present in IoT devices, particularly those that use UPNP for communication. This incident underscores the need for manufacturers to prioritize secure coding practices and thorough testing of firmware before deployment.

The potential for exploitation in IoT devices continues to grow, emphasizing the importance of implementing robust security measures in development and deployment processes. Organizations should learn from this incident to improve their security posture and reduce vulnerabilities in their devices.

For comprehensive guidance on enhancing security measures, organizations can refer to resources on penetration testing and security assessments.

Organizations should remain vigilant and proactively seek to identify and address vulnerabilities as part of their overall security strategy.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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