CVE-2013-3612 in Dvr5408
Summary
by MITRE
Dahua DVR appliances have a hardcoded password for (1) the root account and (2) an unspecified "backdoor" account, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain administrative access via authorization requests involving (a) ActiveX, (b) a standalone client, or (c) unknown other vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3612 affects Dahua digital video recorder appliances and represents a critical security flaw involving hardcoded credentials that significantly weaken the device's authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets two distinct accounts within the system: the root administrative account and an unspecified backdoor account that operates outside of normal authentication protocols. The presence of hardcoded passwords in networked security devices constitutes a fundamental failure in secure credential management practices and creates persistent attack vectors that remain exploitable regardless of user password changes or system updates.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from poor secure coding practices where developers embedded static authentication credentials directly into the firmware or software code rather than implementing dynamic credential generation or secure key storage mechanisms. This hardcoded authentication information exists in a persistent state within the device's codebase, making it accessible to any attacker who can obtain the necessary authorization requests through ActiveX components, standalone client applications, or potentially other unknown vectors. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of security principle number one from the OWASP Top Ten Project, which emphasizes the importance of secure authentication mechanisms and proper credential handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it allows remote attackers to achieve administrative access to surveillance systems without requiring knowledge of legitimate user credentials or successful exploitation of other vulnerabilities. This backdoor access enables attackers to manipulate video recordings, modify system configurations, disable security features, and potentially exfiltrate sensitive surveillance data. The attack surface extends beyond simple credential guessing to include ActiveX-based exploitation, which historically has been a common vector for privilege escalation attacks in networked devices. This vulnerability affects not just individual devices but entire surveillance networks, as compromised devices can serve as entry points for lateral movement within organizational infrastructures.
The implications of this vulnerability extend to both the CIA triad and broader cybersecurity frameworks, as it compromises confidentiality through unauthorized data access, integrity through potential manipulation of security footage and system settings, and availability through potential system disruption. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1078 Valid Accounts for legitimate credential access, T1219 Remote Access Software for establishing persistent access, and T1566 Phishing for Initial Access. Organizations using Dahua DVR appliances face significant risk of unauthorized surveillance access, potential data breaches, and compromise of critical security infrastructure that relies on these devices for monitoring and protection. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper firmware security practices and the need for regular security audits of embedded systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including firmware updates from Dahua, network segmentation to limit access to surveillance systems, and implementation of additional authentication layers beyond the default credentials. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected devices and implement monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of secure credential management and the dangers of embedded hardcoded passwords in networked security devices, particularly in environments where surveillance systems are integral to overall security operations.