CVE-2013-4975 in DS-2CD7153-E
Summary
by MITRE
Hikvision DS-2CD7153-E IP Camera has Privilege Escalation
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2024
The CVE-2013-4975 vulnerability affects Hikvision DS-2CD7153-E IP camera models and represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that allows attackers to gain elevated system access. This vulnerability specifically targets the camera's authentication and authorization mechanisms, enabling unauthorized users to escalate their privileges from standard user level to administrative access without proper credentials. The flaw exists within the camera's web interface implementation where insufficient input validation and access control checks permit malicious actors to manipulate the system's privilege levels through crafted requests or parameter manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate privilege validation within the camera's web server component. When legitimate users attempt to access administrative functions, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user possesses sufficient privileges to perform the requested operations. This weakness creates a path for attackers to bypass normal authentication procedures and directly access administrative interfaces, effectively allowing them to modify system configurations, change user accounts, or extract sensitive data from the device. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer and requires minimal authentication to exploit, making it accessible to attackers with basic network connectivity to the device.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-4975 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of surveillance networks that rely on Hikvision devices. Once exploited, attackers can establish persistent access to the camera and potentially use it as a foothold for broader network infiltration. The vulnerability enables attackers to modify camera settings, disable security features, or redirect video streams to unauthorized parties. Additionally, the compromised camera can be used to launch further attacks against other networked devices, making it a valuable tool for lateral movement within corporate or residential networks. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the core security model of networked surveillance systems.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Hikvision to address the privilege escalation flaw, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and enhanced monitoring of administrative access attempts. Organizations should also review their network access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel can reach the camera's web interface and implement strong authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which describes improper access control in software systems, and corresponds to attack techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and credential access categories. Regular security assessments and network monitoring are essential to detect exploitation attempts and maintain overall system integrity. The incident highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper access control implementation in embedded network devices, particularly those used for security-critical applications.