Severity: HIGH
Description: Improper Authentication vulnerability in S&D smarthome(smartcare) application can cause authentication bypass and information exposure. Remote attackers can use this vulerability to take control of the home environment including indoor control.
CVSS Score: 7.3
B
No data available.
No data available.
1. Risk Assessment
The S&D smarthome (smartcare) application suffers from an Improper Authentication vulnerability, designated CVE-2021-26638, with a CVSS score of 7.3 (HIGH). This indicates a significant risk to users of the application. The vulnerability allows for authentication bypass, meaning an attacker can gain access to the home environment without proper credentials. The vulnerability resides in the Android application and affects versions up to and including 3.2.48. The attack vector is adjacent network, meaning the attacker needs to be on the same network as the target device, but doesn’t necessarily require direct physical access. Exploitation is relatively easy (Low Attack Complexity) and requires only Low privileges. The impact is high in terms of both confidentiality and integrity; attackers can potentially access sensitive information about the home environment and control indoor settings. Availability isn’t directly impacted, but could be as a consequence of control actions. The EPSS score of 0.022640000 indicates a relatively low, but still present, probability of exploitation in the wild. The business impact is potentially significant, ranging from privacy concerns to direct control of home automation systems.
2. Potential Attack Scenarios
An attacker on the same network as a user’s Android device running the S&D smarthome app can exploit this vulnerability to gain control of their smart home. The attacker monitors network traffic and identifies communication between the Android device and the smart home hub. They then craft a malicious request that bypasses the standard authentication process, impersonating a legitimate user. This could be achieved through packet manipulation or by leveraging a flaw in the application's authentication logic. Once authenticated, the attacker can control various aspects of the home environment, such as lighting, temperature, and security systems. A potential outcome is the attacker could unlock doors, disable alarms, and even monitor activity within the home, leading to potential theft or privacy breaches.
3. Mitigation Recommendations
The primary mitigation is to upgrade the S&D smarthome (smartcare) application to a version newer than 3.2.48. Users should check the Google Play Store or the application’s update mechanism for the latest version. In the interim, users should ensure their home Wi-Fi network is secured with a strong password and consider enabling two-factor authentication if available for associated smart home services. Monitor network traffic for unusual activity related to the S&D smarthome app. Xi S&D Inc. should implement more robust authentication mechanisms, such as stronger encryption and improved session management, to prevent future authentication bypasses. Regularly review and update the application's code to address potential vulnerabilities. The Korean CERT advisory provides further details: https://www.krcert.or.kr/krcert/secNoticeView.do?bulletin_writing_sequence=66783
4. Executive Summary
The S&D smarthome (smartcare) application has a HIGH-severity vulnerability (CVE-2021-26638) that allows attackers to bypass authentication and potentially take control of your smart home. This could lead to privacy breaches, inconvenience, and even security risks. The vulnerability is relatively easy to exploit by someone on the same network as your device. We recommend immediately updating the application to the latest version (greater than 3.2.48) to mitigate this risk. Prioritizing this update is crucial for protecting your home environment and ensuring the security of your smart home devices. The impact could range from minor inconveniences to significant security compromises, making prompt action essential.