CVE-2013-3586 in Smart Viewer
Summary
by MITRE
Samsung Web Viewer for Samsung DVR devices allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via an arbitrary SessionID value in a cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3586 affects Samsung Web Viewer components embedded within Samsung DVR devices, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to surveillance systems. This issue specifically targets the session management mechanism within the web interface of these digital video recorders, which are widely deployed in commercial and residential security installations. The vulnerability resides in how the system validates session identifiers, allowing malicious actors to manipulate cookie values and assume legitimate user privileges without proper authentication. The affected Samsung DVR devices typically serve as central hubs for video surveillance networks, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from a security perspective.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the SessionID value contained within HTTP cookies transmitted between client browsers and the DVR web server. When an attacker crafts a cookie with an arbitrary SessionID value, the vulnerable Samsung Web Viewer fails to properly validate this identifier against legitimate session tokens, effectively accepting the forged session as valid. This flaw stems from inadequate input validation and session management practices within the web application layer of the DVR software. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical access to the device or prior authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where these devices are exposed to external networks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as compromised DVR systems can provide attackers with complete control over surveillance footage, device configuration, and potentially access to network resources connected to the same network segment. Attackers can view live and recorded video feeds, modify system settings, add or remove users, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The implications are severe for organizations relying on these devices for security monitoring, as the vulnerability can lead to data breaches, privacy violations, and complete compromise of surveillance infrastructure. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability represents a failure in the principle of least privilege and proper access control implementation, which is fundamental to secure system design.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from Samsung addressing the authentication bypass issue, network segmentation to isolate DVR devices from critical network segments, and implementation of network monitoring to detect anomalous cookie usage patterns. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary web interfaces on DVR devices when not required for remote access, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and regularly auditing access logs for suspicious activity. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and relates to attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under credential access and privilege escalation categories. The incident underscores the importance of secure session management practices and proper input validation in embedded web applications, particularly those serving critical infrastructure functions.