CWE-1338: Improper Protections Against Hardware Overheating

What is Improper Protections Against Hardware Overheating?

• Overview: Improper Protections Against Hardware Overheating is a vulnerability where a hardware device lacks adequate features to prevent overheating, making it susceptible to damage or shutdown due to excessive heat generated during operation.

• Exploitation Methods:

• Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by running software that causes the hardware to operate in a manner that generates excessive heat.
• Common attack patterns include deliberately increasing the workload or frequency of operations, causing components to overheat.

• Security Impact:

• Direct consequences of successful exploitation include device malfunction, shutdown, or permanent damage.
• Potential cascading effects involve system-wide failures, data corruption, or loss of service.
• Business impact can include downtime, increased maintenance costs, and damage to brand reputation due to reliability issues.

• Prevention Guidelines:

• Specific code-level fixes include implementing algorithms to monitor and manage the operational load to prevent excessive heat.
• Security best practices involve ensuring that hardware is equipped with thermal sensors, adequate cooling systems, and implementing thermal throttling mechanisms.
• Recommended tools and frameworks include using hardware monitoring software that alerts or takes action when temperatures reach critical levels, and employing platforms that support thermal management features.

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Technical Details

Likelihood of Exploit: Not specified

Affected Languages: Not Language-Specific

Affected Technologies: Not Technology-Specific, ICS/OT, Power Management Hardware, Processor Hardware

Vulnerable Code Example

import time

class Device:
    def __init__(self):
        self.temperature = 25  # Initial temperature in Celsius

    def run(self):
        while True:
            self.temperature += 1  # Simulate constant increase in temperature
            print(f"Current temperature: {self.temperature}°C")
            time.sleep(1)  # Wait for 1 second before next reading
            if self.temperature > 80:  # Vulnerability: Overheating threshold too high
                print("Warning: Device is overheating!")

Explanation:

• Constant Temperature Increase: The code simulates a device with a temperature that constantly increases without any control mechanism.
• High Overheating Threshold: The threshold for overheating is set at 80°C, which is too high for many hardware components and can lead to damage.

How to fix Improper Protections Against Hardware Overheating?

To fix this vulnerability, you should:

1. Implement an appropriate cooling mechanism: Introduce active cooling or cooling periods to allow the device to cool down.
2. Set a safe temperature threshold: Use a safer threshold to prevent overheating.
3. Add emergency shutdown: Include a mechanism to shut down the device or reduce its workload if it gets too hot.

Fixed Code Example

import time

class Device:
    def __init__(self):
        self.temperature = 25  # Initial temperature in Celsius

    def run(self):
        while True:
            self.temperature += 1  # Simulate increase in temperature
            print(f"Current temperature: {self.temperature}°C")
            time.sleep(1)  # Wait for 1 second before next reading
            if self.temperature > 70:  # Safer overheating threshold
                print("Warning: Device is overheating! Initiating cooldown...")
                self.cool_down()  # Initiating a cooldown mechanism

    def cool_down(self):
        # Simulate a cooldown by reducing temperature
        while self.temperature > 60:  # Cool down to a safe temperature
            self.temperature -= 2
            print(f"Cooling down... Current temperature: {self.temperature}°C")
            time.sleep(1)

Explanation:

• Safer Temperature Threshold: The overheating threshold has been reduced to 70°C, which is safer for most electronic components.
• Cooldown Mechanism: A cool_down method has been added to actively reduce the temperature when it exceeds the safe limit.
• Controlled Cooldown: The cool_down method ensures the device temperature is reduced to a safe level (below 60°C) before resuming normal operation, preventing potential hardware damage.