CVE-2007-4746 in Video Surveillance Sp Isp
Summary
by MITRE
The Cisco Video Surveillance IP Gateway Encoder/Decoder (Standalone and Module) firmware 1.8.1 and earlier, Video Surveillance SP/ISP Decoder Software firmware 1.11.0 and earlier, and the Video Surveillance SP/ISP firmware 1.23.7 and earlier have default passwords for the sypixx and root user accounts, which allows remote attackers to perform administrative actions, aka CSCsj34681.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4746 affects Cisco Video Surveillance IP Gateway Encoder/Decoder devices and related software components, presenting a critical security weakness through the use of default credentials. This flaw exists in firmware versions 1.8.1 and earlier for the standalone and module versions, as well as in Video Surveillance SP/ISP Decoder Software firmware 1.11.0 and earlier, and Video Surveillance SP/ISP firmware 1.23.7 and earlier. The vulnerability stems from the inclusion of hard-coded default passwords for administrative accounts, specifically targeting the sypixx and root user accounts that are accessible through network interfaces. This represents a fundamental failure in secure configuration practices where devices ship with predictable authentication credentials that remain unchanged in production environments, creating persistent attack vectors for malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the presence of default administrative accounts with well-known passwords that are not properly disabled or changed during device deployment. Attackers can exploit this weakness remotely to gain full administrative control over the affected devices, enabling them to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to modifying surveillance configurations, accessing live video feeds, altering recording settings, and potentially using the compromised devices as entry points for broader network infiltration. The remote accessibility of these default credentials means that attackers do not require physical access or specialized equipment to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where such devices may be exposed to external networks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of video surveillance systems that rely on these devices for monitoring and security operations. Organizations using affected Cisco video surveillance equipment face significant risks including data breaches, privacy violations, and potential use of compromised surveillance infrastructure for malicious purposes. The vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate critical security infrastructure, potentially allowing them to disable security features, modify video retention policies, or redirect surveillance data to unauthorized parties. This threat is particularly concerning given that video surveillance systems often contain sensitive information about personnel, assets, and operational activities that could be exploited for corporate espionage or other malicious activities.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and secure configuration practices. The vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 for valid accounts and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers would typically first identify the vulnerable devices and then attempt credential-based access. Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures including changing default passwords, disabling unused accounts, and applying available firmware updates to address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of these devices to unauthorized networks, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar hardcoded credentials in other networked devices. The incident underscores the critical importance of proper device provisioning procedures and the necessity of ensuring that all default administrative credentials are changed upon initial deployment to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.