CVE-2013-3431 in Video Surveillance Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Video Surveillance Manager (VSM) before 7.0.0 does not require authentication for access to VSMC monitoring pages, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive configuration, archive, and log information via unspecified vectors, related to the Cisco_VSBWT (aka Broadware sample code) package, aka Bug ID CSCsv40169.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-3431 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Cisco Video Surveillance Manager version 7.0.0 and earlier. This issue affects the VSMC monitoring pages that are part of the Cisco_VSBWT package, commonly referred to as Broadware sample code. The flaw stems from insufficient access controls that fail to properly validate user credentials before granting access to sensitive operational interfaces. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to critical surveillance system components without requiring valid authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the authentication mechanism of the VSMC monitoring interface. When users attempt to access the monitoring pages, the system fails to enforce proper authentication checks, allowing any remote attacker to navigate directly to sensitive administrative functions. This design flaw is particularly concerning as it affects the core monitoring capabilities of the video surveillance system, which are essential for system administration and operational oversight. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Cisco_VSBWT package, which serves as a sample code framework for video surveillance operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with access to sensitive configuration data, archived video content, and system log information. This unauthorized access could enable adversaries to gain comprehensive knowledge of the surveillance infrastructure, potentially allowing them to identify system weaknesses, understand operational procedures, and access historical video evidence. The exposure of configuration details could facilitate further attacks on the broader network infrastructure, while access to archived data could compromise ongoing investigations or surveillance operations. Additionally, log information might reveal system vulnerabilities or operational patterns that could be exploited in subsequent attacks.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and relates to the ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for Valid Accounts and T1566.001 for Phishing. The lack of authentication requirements creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring physical access or sophisticated attack vectors. Organizations using affected Cisco VSM versions face significant exposure to unauthorized access and potential data breaches, particularly in environments where video surveillance systems contain sensitive operational or security-related information. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the system's access control implementation that directly violates security best practices for networked surveillance systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to Cisco VSM version 7.0.0 or later, which contains the necessary authentication fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate surveillance systems from general network access, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for unauthorized access attempts, and conduct regular security assessments of video surveillance infrastructure. Additional controls such as network access control lists, secure remote access protocols, and regular credential rotation should be implemented to reduce the attack surface and minimize potential impact if authentication bypass occurs. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper authentication mechanisms in security-critical systems and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of all system interfaces.