CVE-2007-4583 in Network Video Recorder
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple absolute path traversal vulnerabilities in the nvUtility.Utility.1 ActiveX control in nvUtility.dll 1.0.14.0 in ACTi Network Video Recorder (NVR) SP2 2.0 allow remote attackers to (1) create or overwrite arbitrary files via a full pathname in the first argument to the SaveXMLFile method or (2) delete arbitrary files via a full pathname in the argument to the DeleteXMLFile method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2024
The CVE-2007-4583 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the ACTi Network Video Recorder SP2 2.0 system, specifically within the nvUtility.Utility.1 ActiveX control version 1.0.14.0. This vulnerability exists in the nvUtility.dll component and exposes the system to remote exploitation through improper input validation in two distinct methods. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate file system operations by providing malicious absolute pathnames, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries that should protect the underlying operating system from unauthorized file manipulation. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability specifically targets the SaveXMLFile and DeleteXMLFile methods of the ActiveX control, both of which accept user-supplied pathnames without adequate sanitization or validation. The security implications are severe because these methods operate with elevated privileges typically associated with system-level operations, making the attack surface particularly dangerous for network video recording systems that often contain sensitive surveillance data and operate in environments requiring high security standards.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2007-4583 occurs through the manipulation of ActiveX control parameters that are designed to handle XML file operations within the ACTi NVR environment. When an attacker invokes the SaveXMLFile method with a crafted absolute pathname, the system will attempt to create or overwrite files at locations specified by the attacker rather than in the intended restricted directory. Similarly, the DeleteXMLFile method can be exploited to remove arbitrary files from the system by providing malicious pathnames in its argument. These vulnerabilities demonstrate a classic lack of input validation and sanitization that enables attackers to bypass normal file system access controls. The ActiveX control operates within the context of the Windows operating system and typically runs with permissions that may be elevated, depending on the system configuration and user context. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects network video recording systems, which often contain sensitive security data, authentication information, and surveillance footage that could be compromised through unauthorized file operations. The attack vector is remote, meaning that an attacker does not need physical access to the system, and can exploit this vulnerability through web-based interfaces or other network-accessible attack surfaces that may expose the vulnerable ActiveX control.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4583 extends beyond simple file manipulation to potentially compromise the entire integrity and confidentiality of the network video recording environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to create backdoors, modify system files, or delete critical data that would otherwise be protected by normal access controls. The ability to overwrite arbitrary files opens possibilities for privilege escalation attacks, where an attacker could replace legitimate system binaries with malicious equivalents, potentially gaining persistent access to the system. Additionally, the deletion of critical files could result in system instability or complete service disruption, affecting the availability of surveillance capabilities that organizations rely upon for security monitoring. This vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad by compromising confidentiality through potential data exfiltration, integrity through unauthorized file modifications, and availability through potential service disruption. The affected ACTi NVR systems are particularly vulnerable because they typically operate in security-sensitive environments where maintaining the integrity of surveillance data is paramount, and the exploitation of such vulnerabilities could lead to complete compromise of security monitoring infrastructure. The vulnerability also represents a significant concern for compliance with industry standards such as pci dss, iso 27001, and nist cybersecurity framework, which require robust protection against unauthorized access and data manipulation.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address the CVE-2007-4583 vulnerability by first identifying and disabling the vulnerable ActiveX control where possible. System administrators should consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to systems running the affected ACTi NVR software and ensure that only authorized personnel can access the network interfaces that expose the vulnerable ActiveX controls. The implementation of proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms should be enforced at all levels of the application stack, particularly in any interfaces that interact with file system operations. Network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious patterns of ActiveX control usage that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected systems within their network infrastructure, as similar vulnerabilities may exist in other components or third-party applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing secure coding practices that prevent directory traversal attacks through proper validation of user inputs. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as t1059.007 (command and script interpreter: windows command shell) and t1078.002 (valid accounts: domain accounts) as attackers may use the compromised system to execute commands or escalate privileges. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other networked systems that may be exposed to similar path traversal attacks through ActiveX controls or other vulnerable components. The vulnerability also underscores the need for proper security awareness training for system administrators to recognize and respond to potential exploitation attempts in network video recording environments.