CVE-2022-39064 Overview
CVE-2022-39064 is a firmware vulnerability affecting IKEA TRÅDFRI smart light bulbs that allows an attacker to disrupt device functionality by sending malformed IEEE 802.15.4 (Zigbee) frames. When a single malformed Zigbee frame is transmitted, the affected bulb will blink. If the attacker replays the same malformed frame multiple times, the bulb performs a factory reset, causing it to lose all configuration information including Zigbee network settings and brightness levels.
Critical Impact
All affected bulbs within radio range reset to factory defaults with full brightness, becoming completely uncontrollable via the IKEA Home Smart app or TRÅDFRI remote control. The attack uses unauthenticated broadcast messages, meaning all vulnerable devices in proximity are simultaneously affected.
Affected Products
- IKEA TRÅDFRI LED1732G11 Firmware
- IKEA TRÅDFRI LED1732G11 Hardware
Discovery Timeline
- 2022-10-14 - CVE-2022-39064 published to NVD
- 2025-05-15 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2022-39064
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability stems from improper handling of malformed Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4) frames in the IKEA TRÅDFRI bulb firmware. The device fails to properly validate incoming wireless frames before processing them, allowing specially crafted packets to trigger unintended behavior. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-241 (Improper Handling of Unexpected Data Type).
The attack requires adjacent network access, meaning the attacker must be within radio range of the target devices. No authentication or user interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in environments with multiple smart bulbs deployed.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper input validation in the Zigbee frame processing logic of the TRÅDFRI bulb firmware. The firmware does not adequately validate the structure and content of incoming IEEE 802.15.4 frames before acting upon them. When the device receives an unexpected or malformed data type, it fails to handle the error gracefully, instead triggering visual feedback (blinking) and ultimately a factory reset when the malformed frame is replayed.
Attack Vector
The attack is executed over the adjacent network via Zigbee radio frequency communication. An attacker within radio range can broadcast a single malformed IEEE 802.15.4 frame to cause affected bulbs to blink. By replaying this malformed frame multiple times, the attacker can force a complete factory reset of all vulnerable devices within range.
Since the malformed Zigbee frame is an unauthenticated broadcast message, no pairing or authentication with the target devices is required. This means an attacker can affect an entire installation of TRÅDFRI bulbs simultaneously without any prior access to the victim's smart home network.
The attack results in:
- Loss of Zigbee network configuration
- Loss of brightness and other user settings
- All affected lights turning on at full brightness
- Complete loss of user control via IKEA Home Smart app
- Complete loss of user control via TRÅDFRI remote control
Detection Methods for CVE-2022-39064
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected blinking of TRÅDFRI smart bulbs without user interaction
- Multiple bulbs suddenly turning on at full brightness simultaneously
- Loss of control over smart bulbs via IKEA Home Smart app
- Bulbs becoming unresponsive to TRÅDFRI remote controls
- Bulbs no longer appearing in or responding to the Zigbee network
Detection Strategies
- Deploy Zigbee network monitoring tools capable of detecting anomalous or malformed IEEE 802.15.4 frames
- Monitor for unusual broadcast traffic patterns in the Zigbee frequency spectrum
- Implement alerting on unexpected factory reset events across multiple smart home devices
- Use software-defined radio (SDR) tools to analyze Zigbee traffic for protocol violations
Monitoring Recommendations
- Establish baseline Zigbee network behavior to identify deviations
- Monitor smart home device logs for unexpected reset or re-pairing events
- Consider deploying Zigbee intrusion detection solutions in high-security environments
- Regularly audit connected smart home devices for unexpected configuration changes
How to Mitigate CVE-2022-39064
Immediate Actions Required
- Check for firmware updates from IKEA for affected TRÅDFRI products
- Limit physical access to areas where TRÅDFRI devices are deployed
- Consider the radio range of Zigbee devices when assessing exposure risk
- Evaluate whether critical lighting applications should rely on potentially vulnerable smart bulbs
Patch Information
Consult the Synopsys Security Advisory for detailed information about affected versions and remediation guidance. Check IKEA's official channels for firmware update availability and installation instructions for TRÅDFRI products.
Workarounds
- Physically isolate smart lighting installations from publicly accessible areas where attackers could be within radio range
- Maintain backup traditional lighting controls that do not rely on Zigbee communication
- Implement network segmentation to isolate IoT devices from critical infrastructure
- Document device configurations to enable faster recovery after potential factory reset attacks
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
