External risk intelligence

HomeMax Firmware Update Information Disclosure.

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2024-48784

The vulnerability exists in the firmware update process of a home automation application. While firmware update mechanisms are sometimes exposed to the network, they are not inherently public-facing services by design in standard deployments, and the context does not confirm that this specific interface is commonly reachable from the public internet.

Halo Surface Signal: 3 out of 5 — possibly public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

This critical vulnerability involves a potential unauthorized access to sensitive information through the firmware update process of a specific home automation application. The concern is that an attacker could potentially gain access to confidential data if this update mechanism is exposed.

  • Sensitive information could be leaked.
  • Confirm if this technology is in use.
  • Understand your exposure to this risk.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging the firmware update process of the HomeMax application. Since the attack vector is network-based and requires no specific user interaction or privileges, an attacker could remotely access the vulnerable component. This could potentially lead to unauthorized disclosure, modification, or denial of service of sensitive information.

  • Accessible over the network without authentication.
  • Exploits the firmware update mechanism.
  • Leads to sensitive information disclosure and modification.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A remote attacker could obtain sensitive information through the firmware update process when supported by the advisory. This could expose system data.

  • Sensitive system information.
  • Via firmware update process.
  • Unauthorized information disclosure.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This critical vulnerability in SAMPMAX com.sampmax.homemax affects the firmware update process, potentially exposing sensitive information. Identifying where this application is deployed, confirming its network reachability and business criticality, and locating the accountable owner are the crucial first steps to managing the risk. Subsequently, a remediation plan should be developed based on the assessed risk and potential impact.

  • Determine application and infrastructure ownership.
  • Verify firmware update process exposure.
  • Plan risk-based remediation actions.

Supplementary metadata

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

Frequently asked questions

What is the SAMPMAX HomeMax application?

SAMPMAX HomeMax is a software application designed for home automation, enabling users to control and manage connected smart home devices. It functions as a centralized interface for household technology, often requiring communication with hardware devices to handle updates and system configurations.

What does CWE-863 mean for CVE-2024-48784?

CWE-863 refers to Incorrect Access Control. In the context of CVE-2024-48784, this means the software fails to properly verify if a user or request has permission to interact with the firmware update process. Because these checks are missing or flawed, an attacker can bypass security restrictions to access data that should be protected.

How can an attacker trigger this vulnerability?

An attacker triggers this by interacting with the firmware update mechanism over the network. The vulnerability does not require the attacker to have special user privileges or wait for a user to click a link. However, simply using the application for standard home automation tasks does not trigger the flaw; it specifically requires targeting the update service that handles firmware processes.

Is my HomeMax installation reachable from the internet?

According to Halo Surface Signal, this vulnerability impacts the firmware update process, which is not designed to be public-facing by default. While your specific deployment might be connected to a network, you should investigate whether the update service is exposed to the internet. Installations limited to private, local networks are less likely to be accessible to remote attackers compared to those with direct, unrestricted external connectivity.

How should I respond to this security risk?

Begin by auditing your infrastructure to confirm if SAMPMAX HomeMax is currently deployed in your environment. Once identified, map out its network reachability to see if the firmware update service is exposed externally. Contact the internal owner of the application to discuss your usage requirements and coordinate a risk-based plan to mitigate potential data disclosure before further action is required.

References