CVE-2013-4977 in DS-2CD7153-E
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the RTSP Packet Handler in Hikvision DS-2CD7153-E IP camera with firmware 4.1.0 b130111 (Jan 2013), and possibly other devices, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device crash and reboot) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long string in the Range header field in an RTSP transaction.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4977 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) packet handler of Hikvision DS-2CD7153-E IP camera models running firmware version 4.1.0 build 130111 from January 2013. This issue affects not only the specific model mentioned but potentially other Hikvision devices that share similar firmware architectures, making it a widespread concern for security professionals managing network video surveillance systems. The vulnerability resides in how the device processes RTSP requests, specifically when handling the Range header field which is commonly used in media streaming protocols to request specific portions of content.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the RTSP packet handler fails to properly validate the length of data contained within the Range header field of an RTSP transaction. When a remote attacker crafts a malicious RTSP request containing an excessively long string in the Range header, the device's processing routine attempts to copy this data into a fixed-size buffer without adequate bounds checking. This fundamental flaw in input validation allows the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, leading to unpredictable behavior. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and can potentially be leveraged for more severe consequences beyond simple denial of service.
The operational impact of this vulnerability manifests in two primary ways: immediate denial of service through device crashes and subsequent reboots, and the theoretical possibility of arbitrary code execution. When exploited, the buffer overflow causes the camera's memory management system to become corrupted, resulting in a system crash that requires manual intervention for recovery. This disruption can severely impact surveillance operations, particularly in environments where continuous monitoring is critical. The potential for arbitrary code execution places this vulnerability in a higher risk category, as it could theoretically allow attackers to gain persistent access to the device, install backdoors, or use it as a launching point for broader network attacks. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, and T1078.004 for valid accounts, as compromised devices could be used to establish persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4977 require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams responsible for Hikvision devices. The most effective immediate solution involves updating the firmware to versions that contain patches for this vulnerability, which Hikvision released following the disclosure of this flaw. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks, particularly by blocking RTSP traffic at network perimeters and implementing proper firewall rules. Additionally, monitoring for unusual RTSP traffic patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling RTSP functionality when not required, as this reduces the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular firmware updates and proper input validation in embedded systems, highlighting the need for security-by-design principles in IoT device development. Compliance with industry standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 for information security management and NIST cybersecurity frameworks should be maintained to address such vulnerabilities systematically.