CVE-2003-0240 in 2401 Video Server
Summary
by MITRE
The web-based administration capability for various Axis Network Camera products allows remote attackers to bypass access restrictions and modify configuration via an HTTP request to the admin/admin.shtml containing a leading // (double slash).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0240 represents a critical access control flaw within the web-based administration interface of Axis Network Camera products. This issue stems from improper input validation and path handling mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize HTTP requests containing specially crafted double slash sequences. The vulnerability specifically affects the admin/admin.shtml endpoint which serves as the primary administrative interface for configuring network cameras. When an attacker submits an HTTP request with a leading double slash in the URL path, the system fails to properly validate or normalize the request path, allowing unauthorized access to administrative functions. This flaw demonstrates a classic path traversal vulnerability where the system does not adequately process or sanitize the leading slash characters in the URL path, potentially enabling attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain administrative access to the device.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a fundamental weakness in the web server's path resolution logic within the Axis camera's embedded web interface. When the system processes an HTTP request with a URL containing a leading double slash such as //admin/admin.shtml, it fails to properly normalize or validate the path before attempting to resolve the requested resource. This path normalization failure allows the attacker to effectively manipulate the request processing flow and bypass the intended access controls. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and affects the web server component of the network camera's operating system. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-22 Path Traversal vulnerability where the system does not properly sanitize input before using it to access files or resources. The flaw specifically aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212 Exploitation for Credential Access, as it allows unauthorized access to administrative credentials and configuration data through path manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for network security environments that rely on Axis network cameras for surveillance and monitoring. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain full administrative control over the affected camera, enabling them to modify camera settings, change network configurations, access stored video footage, and potentially use the device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The remote nature of this attack means that unauthorized individuals can exploit the vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the device. This creates a significant risk for organizations deploying these cameras in sensitive environments where unauthorized access could lead to privacy violations, security breaches, or operational disruptions. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations using Axis cameras in corporate environments, government facilities, or any setting where network cameras are used for security monitoring and access control.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0240 should prioritize immediate patching of affected devices with firmware updates provided by Axis Communications. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate camera devices from critical network segments and restrict access to the administrative interfaces through firewall rules and access control lists. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious HTTP requests containing double slash patterns and implement intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on such malicious traffic patterns. The recommended remediation approach includes disabling unnecessary web administration interfaces when not required, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and regularly updating all network camera firmware to address known vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected devices and implement proper network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and proper path normalization in embedded web applications and serves as a reminder of the critical need for secure coding practices in network security devices.