CVE-2010-2469 in eMerge 50
Summary
by MITRE
The Linear eMerge 50 and 5000 uses a default password of eMerge for the IEIeMerge account, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain Video Recorder data by establishing a session to the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2469 affects the Linear eMerge 50 and 5000 video recorder devices manufactured by IEI. This security flaw represents a critical configuration weakness that exposes these surveillance systems to unauthorized access. The device ships with a hardcoded default password of "eMerge" for the administrative IEIeMerge account, creating a persistent security risk that significantly undermines the device's integrity and confidentiality. This default credential issue falls under the CWE-798 category of using hardcoded credentials, which is a well-documented weakness in software security practices. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to establish sessions with the device without requiring any authentication, effectively providing unrestricted access to the video recording system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from poor security design practices within the device's firmware and authentication system. When the Linear eMerge 50 and 5000 devices are deployed, they automatically configure the IEIeMerge account with the default password "eMerge" without requiring administrators to change it during initial setup. This default configuration creates an easily exploitable entry point that attackers can leverage from any network location to gain administrative control over the device. The vulnerability enables unauthorized users to access video recorder data, which includes sensitive surveillance footage and potentially personal information captured by the security system. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a fundamental failure in the device's security architecture.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations relying on these surveillance systems. The ease of exploitation means that any attacker with basic network knowledge can gain full administrative control over the device and access all recorded video data. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise, where attackers could modify or delete video recordings to cover their tracks or install malicious software. This vulnerability also enables reconnaissance activities where attackers can gather information about the surveillance system's configuration, network topology, and operational patterns. The threat landscape for such devices is particularly concerning as they are often deployed in sensitive environments including financial institutions, government facilities, and private residences where the confidentiality of surveillance data is paramount.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including changing the default password to a strong, unique credential immediately upon device deployment. The recommended approach involves establishing a comprehensive password policy that mandates complex passwords with sufficient entropy and regular rotation schedules. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate these devices from critical systems and limit potential attack vectors. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify any other devices with default credentials and ensure proper configuration management processes are in place. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as credential access and privilege escalation, and organizations should consider implementing network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure device lifecycle management, including proper initial configuration and ongoing security maintenance. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious network activity that may indicate exploitation attempts, and establish incident response procedures specifically for dealing with compromised surveillance systems.