CVE-2013-1606 in Aircam Mini
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the ubnt-streamer RTSP service on the Ubiquiti UBNT AirCam with airVision firmware before 1.1.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long rtsp: URI in a DESCRIBE request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1606 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ubnt-streamer RTSP service component of Ubiquiti AirCam devices running airVision firmware versions prior to 1.1.6. This issue exposes devices to remote code execution attacks through carefully crafted RTSP requests that exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities in the streaming service implementation. The affected devices operate under the Ubiquiti airVision ecosystem, which provides surveillance and streaming capabilities for network video equipment. The vulnerability specifically targets the DESCRIBE request handling mechanism within the RTSP protocol implementation, where the ubnt-streamer service fails to properly validate input length before processing RTSP URIs.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The ubnt-streamer service processes RTSP DESCRIBE requests containing rtsp: URIs without adequate input validation, enabling attackers to craft malicious URIs that exceed the allocated buffer space. This buffer overflow creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on the affected device. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates over the standard RTSP protocol port, making it accessible to remote attackers without requiring physical access or authentication credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected AirCam devices. Once exploited, attackers can install malware, modify surveillance footage, disable security features, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other networked systems. The airVision firmware ecosystem's reliance on the ubnt-streamer service for video streaming means that successful exploitation could compromise entire surveillance networks. Network administrators face significant risks including unauthorized access to sensitive video feeds, potential data exfiltration, and loss of surveillance integrity. The vulnerability's remote exploitability eliminates the need for physical presence or local network access, making it particularly dangerous for security-conscious organizations relying on networked surveillance systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to version 1.1.6 or later, which contain patches addressing the buffer overflow in the ubnt-streamer service. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical network segments and apply firewall rules to restrict RTSP protocol access to trusted sources only. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual RTSP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should consider disabling unnecessary RTSP services when not actively required and implement regular vulnerability scanning to identify other potentially affected devices within their network infrastructure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, which describes exploitation of remote services, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreters, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access and execute malicious commands on compromised systems.