CVE-2013-3311 in Nexus 543 IP Camera
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the Loftek Nexus 543 IP Camera allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the URL of an HTTP GET request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The CVE-2013-3311 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Loftek Nexus 543 IP Camera firmware, exposing a fundamental security weakness in how the device processes HTTP requests. This vulnerability resides in the web server component of the camera's software stack, specifically in the handling of URL parameters that contain directory traversal sequences. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate HTTP GET requests by appending .. (dot dot) sequences to file paths, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive system files and data that should remain protected within the camera's internal file system. The vulnerability affects the camera's web interface implementation, which fails to properly validate and sanitize input parameters before processing file access requests.
This directory traversal vulnerability operates at the application layer and directly violates security principles by allowing attackers to bypass normal file access controls. The technical implementation flaw stems from inadequate input validation and path normalization within the web server component of the camera firmware. When an HTTP GET request is received with a URL containing .. sequences, the camera's web server fails to properly sanitize the input, allowing the traversal to proceed through the file system hierarchy. This creates a condition where an attacker can navigate beyond the intended web root directory and access arbitrary files on the device's file system, potentially including configuration files, authentication credentials, system logs, and other sensitive data that should be restricted from remote access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with a pathway to compromise the entire camera system. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access not only user data but also potentially gain insights into the camera's internal architecture, network configuration, and authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability enables attackers to read sensitive files such as configuration settings that may contain administrative credentials, network parameters, or other system information that could facilitate further attacks. This weakness creates a persistent security risk for organizations deploying these cameras, as the vulnerability remains exploitable regardless of network segmentation or firewall configurations, since the attack vector operates through the standard HTTP protocol.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from the manufacturer, as the flaw exists within the camera's core software implementation and cannot be addressed through network-level controls alone. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices, restrict HTTP access to only trusted administrative networks, and monitor for suspicious HTTP requests containing directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and maps to attack techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing). Security monitoring should include detection of .. sequences in HTTP GET requests, particularly those targeting web server endpoints, and organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls or intrusion detection systems to prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in embedded systems, as the flaw demonstrates how inadequate parameter sanitization can create severe security consequences in networked devices.