Following reports that Xiaomi cameras integrated with Google’s Nest Hub, showed images and feeds from strangers’ cameras, The Verge is reporting that Xiaomi has identified the problem.
Dio, a user in the Netherlands, first reported the issue when he used his Google Nest Hub to access his Xiaomi camera feed. Instead, he saw a stranger’s kitchen. Repeated attempts showed a random collection of camera feeds, only occasionally displaying his own. In response, Google shut down integration between the two services, until a fix could be found.
In a statement to The Verge, Xiaomi identified the problem as the result of a “cache update” that was rolled out on December 26. The update was supposed to improve streaming quality, but ultimately led to the glitch. Xiaomi said the glitch only occurs in “extremely rare conditions.”
In investigating what led to the issue Dio experienced, Xiaomi told The Verge: “It happened during the integration between Mi Home Security Camera Basic 1080p and the Google Home Hub with a display screen under poor network conditions.”
While Xiaomi says it has fixed the issue, Nest integration will remain suspended until the root cause can be identified and addressed.
While it’s reassuring this appears to be an isolated case, it illustrates the security issues that can occur when multiple devices and services are linked together. The more complex the integration, the greater the risk of security issues creeping in.