CVE-2013-1603 in DCS
Summary
by MITRE
An Authentication vulnerability exists in D-LINK WCS-1100 1.02, TESCO DCS-2121 1.05_TESCO, TESCO DCS-2102 1.05_TESCO, DCS-7510 1.00, DCS-7410 1.00, DCS-6410 1.00, DCS-5635 1.01, DCS-5605 1.01, DCS-5230L 1.02, DCS-5230 1.02, DCS-3430 1.02, DCS-3411 1.02, DCS-3410 1.02, DCS-2121 1.06_FR, DCS-2121 1.06, DCS-2121 1.05_RU, DCS-2102 1.06_FR, DCS-2102 1.06, DCS-2102 1.05_RU, DCS-1130L 1.04, DCS-1130 1.04_US, DCS-1130 1.03, DCS-1100L 1.04, DCS-1100 1.04_US, and DCS-1100 1.03 due to hard-coded credentials that serve as a backdoor, which allows remote attackers to access the RTSP video stream.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2024
This authentication vulnerability affects multiple D-Link and TESCO network video surveillance devices including various models from the WCS-1100, DCS-2121, DCS-7510, DCS-6410, and DCS-5230 series. The flaw stems from the implementation of hard-coded credentials that are embedded within the firmware of these security cameras and video management systems. These hardcoded passwords serve as an unauthorized access mechanism that bypasses normal authentication procedures, creating a persistent backdoor that remains active across all affected device versions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a wide range of surveillance equipment from different manufacturers, suggesting a systemic issue in how these devices handle authentication mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the inclusion of default or pre-configured credentials within the device firmware that are not changed during installation or deployment. These hardcoded credentials are typically stored in plain text or using weak cryptographic methods within the device's configuration files or memory segments. Attackers can exploit this weakness by simply knowing or discovering these default credentials, which allows them to establish unauthorized connections to the device's Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) service. The RTSP protocol is commonly used for streaming video content from network cameras, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it grants direct access to live video feeds without requiring any additional authentication steps.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential privacy violations, surveillance compromise, and broader network security implications. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability from any location with network connectivity to the affected devices, potentially accessing sensitive video surveillance footage from corporate offices, retail locations, residential properties, or public spaces. The attack surface is significantly expanded because these devices are often deployed in environments where physical security is assumed but network security is not properly implemented. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which identifies the use of hard-coded credentials as a significant security flaw, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in security design.
The security implications of this vulnerability are compounded by the fact that many organizations deploy these surveillance systems without proper network segmentation or additional authentication layers. Attackers can leverage this backdoor to perform reconnaissance activities, capture video feeds, or even potentially manipulate device settings to disable security features or redirect video streams to unauthorized locations. The vulnerability is classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as a form of credential access, specifically related to the use of default credentials and hard-coded secrets. Network administrators should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface assessment, particularly when these devices are connected to untrusted networks or when they lack proper network segmentation and monitoring.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from device administrators to address the hardcoded credentials issue. The most effective immediate solution involves changing default passwords to strong, unique credentials for each device, although this may be difficult if the default credentials are not known or accessible due to the backdoor nature of the vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to these devices and consider network segmentation to isolate surveillance equipment from general network traffic. Long-term solutions include firmware updates from manufacturers, which should address the hardcoded credential issue by implementing proper authentication mechanisms and removing the backdoor access points. Additionally, security policies should mandate that all network devices have their default credentials changed upon deployment and that regular security audits verify the absence of hardcoded secrets in deployed systems.