CVE-2004-1650 in DCS-900 Internet Camera
Summary
by MITRE
D-Link DCS-900 Internet Camera listens on UDP port 62976 for an IP address, which allows remote attackers to change the IP address of the camera via a UDP broadcast packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2024
The D-Link DCS-900 Internet Camera presents a significant network security vulnerability through its improper handling of UDP broadcast packets on port 62976. This flaw represents a critical configuration management weakness that allows unauthenticated remote attackers to manipulate the device's network parameters without any form of authentication or authorization. The vulnerability stems from the camera's design to accept and process incoming UDP packets on this specific port without implementing proper validation or access controls, creating an attack surface that directly compromises the device's network configuration integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental principle of network device management by allowing arbitrary IP address changes through broadcast communication. When a UDP packet is received on port 62976, the camera processes the packet content without verifying the sender's authenticity or authorization level. This design flaw falls under the category of improper input validation and weak access control mechanisms, which are commonly classified as CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The attack vector operates entirely over the network layer without requiring physical access or complex exploitation techniques, making it particularly dangerous for deployed surveillance equipment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network reconfiguration to encompass broader security implications for network infrastructure and surveillance operations. Remote attackers can potentially redirect the camera to malicious IP addresses, effectively removing it from legitimate network management and monitoring capabilities. This modification could lead to complete loss of device control, disruption of surveillance operations, and potential data exposure through unauthorized network access points. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to perform network reconnaissance by manipulating device network parameters, potentially uncovering other connected devices or network segments that were previously hidden from unauthorized access.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly focusing on T1046 (Network Service Scanning) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may use the compromised device to establish persistent network access points. The attack can be executed silently without generating obvious network traffic patterns, making detection difficult for network monitoring systems. Security professionals should consider implementing network segmentation strategies to isolate such devices from critical infrastructure, while also deploying network access control lists that restrict UDP traffic on port 62976 to trusted sources only. Additionally, regular firmware updates and network audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar configuration flaws across networked devices, particularly those in the IoT and surveillance categories. Organizations should also implement network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous IP address changes and unauthorized network configuration modifications to provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts.