July 3, 2024 at 04:24PM
Nick Cerne from Bishop Fox discovered vulnerabilities in Traeger grills with the D2 Wi-Fi Controller, enabling remote attackers to issue commands, such as altering the temperature. Despite the potential risks, Traeger automatically updates affected grills. The need for secure IoT devices is underscored, while recommendations include physical control of devices and monitoring network security. Notably, using the physical power switch when grills are not in use is advised for added security.
Based on the meeting notes, it is clear that there are significant security vulnerabilities in certain types of Traeger grills, particularly those equipped with the Traeger Grill D2 Wi-Fi Controller. These vulnerabilities were uncovered by Nick Cerne from Bishop Fox, and they allow remote attackers to issue commands to the grill, potentially causing significant disruptions to the grilling process.
The severity of the vulnerabilities is highlighted, with the ability for remote attackers to not only obtain details about the grill but also to shut it down or manipulate its temperature. The lack of sufficient authorization controls in the API is a particularly concerning issue, as it has a severity score of 7.1, categorizing it as high risk.
However, it is noted that Traeger has automatic firmware updates for its grills, ensuring that affected grills connected to the Internet have already been updated without requiring the grill owners to take any specific action. This proactive approach is crucial for maintaining the security of Internet of Things devices, and other manufacturers should consider similar mechanisms for ensuring user safety.
Additionally, it is mentioned that potential attackers would need the unique 48-bit identifier of the target grill, which limits the pool of potential attackers to those in close proximity to the grill. This emphasizes the importance of monitoring device activity, securing networks, and controlling physical access to devices as ways to mitigate potential exploitation attempts.
Finally, Bishop Fox recommends using the physical power switch to turn off grills when not in use, which is a simple but effective piece of advice for enhancing overall security.
In summary, the meeting notes highlight the importance of addressing security vulnerabilities in Internet-capable devices such as grills, the value of proactive measures like automatic firmware updates, and the need for user vigilance in monitoring and controlling access to Internet of Things devices.