Published on June 10th, 2024
A recent report reveals that now-patched authorization bypass issues affecting Cox modems could have posed significant risks, potentially enabling unauthorized access and the execution of malicious commands on the devices.
Security Risks Unveiled
Security researcher Sam Curry highlights that these vulnerabilities presented a concerning avenue for threat actors.
Exploiting these flaws, an external attacker could have gained unfettered access to millions of modems, effectively obtaining the same level of control as an ISP support team.
Swift Resolution Following Disclosure
Prompt action followed the responsible disclosure of these authorization bypass issues on March 4, 2024.
Within a mere 24 hours, Cox, the U.S. broadband provider, addressed the vulnerabilities, effectively mitigating potential threats.
Fortunately, there’s no evidence to suggest that these vulnerabilities were exploited in real-world scenarios.
Insights From The Researcher
Curry expressed surprise at the extent of access ISPs possess over customer devices.
While acknowledging the necessity for remote management capabilities, he underscores the intricate internal infrastructure deployed by companies like Xfinity, potentially exposing millions of devices to exploitation if vulnerabilities are uncovered.
Precedent Of Previous Disclosures
Curry and his team have a track record of unveiling critical vulnerabilities, including those affecting vehicles from multiple manufacturers and flaws within points.com.
These disclosures underscore the pervasive nature of cybersecurity risks across various domains.
Exploitable API Endpoints Unveiled
A deeper analysis by Curry revealed approximately 700 exposed API endpoints within Cox’s infrastructure.
Exploiting these endpoints, attackers could gain administrative privileges and execute unauthorized commands, exploiting permission issues and leveraging repeated HTTP requests.
Potential Risks And Hypothetical Attacks
Of particular concern is the “profilesearch” endpoint, which, when exploited, could allow unauthorized access to business customer accounts and the manipulation of connected hardware.
Additionally, the ability to overwrite device settings poses grave security implications, potentially facilitating complete control over customer devices.
Reflections On The Complexity Of Device Management
Curry reflects on the challenges inherent in managing customer devices like routers and modems.
The intricate task of building a REST API that universally communicates with diverse modem models underscores the need for robust authorization mechanisms to prevent such vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The identified vulnerabilities within Cox modems serve as a stark reminder of the evolving cybersecurity landscape.
Swift remediation and proactive security measures are imperative to safeguard against potential threats posed by unauthorized access and exploitation of device vulnerabilities.