1. Weak, Guessable, or Hardcoded Passwords
- Description: IoT devices often use default or hardcoded credentials that attackers can exploit.
- Examples:
- Factory default usernames and passwords left unchanged.
- Hardcoded administrative credentials in the firmware.
- Mitigation:
- Enforce password complexity and expiration policies.
- Disable default credentials on first use.
2. Insecure Network Services
- Description: Services running on IoT devices may expose vulnerabilities if not properly secured.
- Examples:
- Open ports that allow unauthorized access or data exfiltration.
- Vulnerable UPnP services exposing the internal network.
- Mitigation:
- Disable unnecessary network services.
- Use firewalls and intrusion detection systems (IDS).
3. Insecure Ecosystem Interfaces
- Description: Weaknesses in web, API, cloud, or mobile interfaces connected to IoT devices.
- Examples:
- Lack of authentication or weak API keys.
- Insufficient input validation in cloud interfaces.
- Mitigation:
- Secure APIs with authentication and encryption.
- Implement robust input validation.
4. Lack of Secure Update Mechanisms
- Description: Firmware or software updates may be unencrypted, unsigned, or delivered insecurely.
- Examples:
- Firmware updates downloaded over HTTP.
- No verification of update authenticity.
- Mitigation:
- Use encrypted and signed firmware updates.
- Implement secure Over-The-Air (OTA) update mechanisms.
5. Use of Insecure or Outdated Components
- Description: IoT devices often rely on outdated libraries or components with known vulnerabilities.
- Examples:
- Use of legacy cryptographic algorithms (e.g., MD5, SHA-1).
- Outdated third-party libraries.
- Mitigation:
- Regularly update software and components.
- Conduct dependency scanning for known vulnerabilities.
6. Insufficient Privacy Protection
- Description: Failure to protect sensitive user data collected, processed, or transmitted by IoT devices.
- Examples:
- Exposing sensitive data in plaintext over the network.
- Excessive data collection beyond functional requirements.
- Mitigation:
- Encrypt sensitive data in transit and at rest.
- Minimize data collection to what’s necessary.
7. Insecure Data Transfer and Storage
- Description: Lack of encryption or proper access controls for data storage and transmission.
- Examples:
- Transmitting sensitive data over unencrypted channels.
- Insecure cloud storage configurations.
- Mitigation:
- Use TLS/SSL for data transmission.
- Enforce strict access control policies.
8. Lack of Device Management
- Description: Poor device lifecycle management, including lack of monitoring, logging, and decommissioning protocols.
- Examples:
- No mechanism to revoke or reset devices.
- Lack of secure logging for forensic analysis.
- Mitigation:
- Implement monitoring and logging mechanisms.
- Provide a secure reset or decommissioning feature.
9. Insecure Default Settings
- Description: Devices shipped with insecure configurations that aren’t changed by users.
- Examples:
- Default configurations enabling unnecessary services.
- Weak out-of-the-box security settings.
- Mitigation:
- Ship devices with secure-by-default configurations.
- Provide user-friendly setup wizards for secure configurations.
10. Lack of Physical Hardening
- Description: IoT devices can be physically accessed and tampered with to compromise security.
- Examples:
- Exposed debug ports (e.g., JTAG, UART).
- Easily removable memory chips that allow firmware extraction.
- Mitigation:
- Use tamper-evident or tamper-resistant designs.
- Disable debug ports in production.