CVE-2004-0334 in Videophone
Summary
by MITRE
InnoMedia VideoPhone allows remote attackers to bypass Basic Authorization via an HTTP request to (1) videophone_admindetail.asp, (2) videophone_syscfg.asp, (3) videophone_upgrade.asp, or (4) videophone_sysctrl.asp that contains a trailing / (slash). NOTE: the original report mentioned AXIS 2100 Network Camera, but this was likely a cut-and-paste error.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2018
This vulnerability resides in the InnoMedia VideoPhone software implementation where improper authentication handling allows remote attackers to bypass basic authorization mechanisms. The flaw specifically affects four administrative endpoints: videophone_admindetail.asp, videophone_syscfg.asp, videophone_upgrade.asp, and videophone_sysctrl.asp. The vulnerability exploits a path traversal behavior where the presence of a trailing slash in the HTTP request path allows unauthorized access to protected administrative functions that should require proper authentication credentials.
The technical implementation flaw stems from how the application processes HTTP requests containing trailing slashes in the URL path. When an attacker submits a request to any of the four affected .asp endpoints with a trailing slash, the application fails to properly validate the authentication state before granting access to the administrative interface. This represents a classic authorization bypass vulnerability that falls under the CWE-285 authorization weakness category, specifically manifesting as an improper access control implementation. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a failure in the authentication flow validation process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access to the VideoPhone device without providing valid credentials. This creates a persistent security risk where malicious actors can access sensitive system configurations, perform system upgrades, modify administrative settings, and potentially gain complete control over the device. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the system as unauthorized parties can access administrative functions that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. This represents a critical security flaw that violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper authentication validation for all administrative endpoints regardless of URL path formatting. The application should enforce consistent authentication checks before granting access to any administrative functions, ensuring that trailing slashes or other path variations do not bypass the authorization mechanism. Security patches should be applied to correct the authorization logic in the affected .asp files, and network segmentation should be implemented to restrict access to these administrative endpoints. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for HTTP requests can prevent exploitation of path-based vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based access controls and monitoring for suspicious patterns of access to administrative endpoints. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, as it allows for unauthorized access through bypassed authentication mechanisms. The fix should involve strengthening the authentication middleware to ensure all paths to administrative functions require proper credential verification, preventing the bypass through trailing slash manipulation.