CVE-2013-4981 in AVN801 DVR
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in cgi-bin/user/Config.cgi in AVTECH AVN801 DVR with firmware 1017-1003-1009-1003 and earlier, and possibly other devices, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long string in the Network.SMTP.Receivers parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4981 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the AVTECH AVN801 Digital Video Recorder system. This security weakness exists in the cgi-bin/user/Config.cgi component of the device's firmware, specifically affecting versions 1017-1003-1009-1003 and earlier. The flaw manifests when the Network.SMTP.Receivers parameter receives an excessively long string input, creating a condition where the application fails to properly validate input length before processing. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 buffer overflow category, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input validation mechanisms within the web-based configuration interface of the DVR system. When a malicious actor submits a specially crafted string exceeding the allocated buffer size in the Network.SMTP.Receivers parameter, the application's memory management fails to handle the overflow gracefully. This condition can lead to unpredictable behavior including stack corruption, memory overwrite, and ultimately system instability. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication, making it accessible to remote threat actors who can leverage this weakness from outside the network perimeter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, potentially enabling remote code execution capabilities. When the buffer overflow occurs, the device may crash and restart, causing service interruption for surveillance operations. More critically, the memory corruption could allow attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the device's operational environment. This represents a significant risk for security infrastructure, as DVR systems often contain sensitive video surveillance data and may serve as entry points for broader network infiltration attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210 for exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services, particularly targeting network infrastructure devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4981 should focus on immediate firmware updates from AVTECH to address the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to DVR systems and restrict administrative access to authorized personnel only. Input validation controls should be implemented at the network perimeter to filter out suspicious parameter values before they reach the vulnerable system. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual network traffic patterns associated with configuration parameter submissions. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments of networked security devices should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the security infrastructure. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing of updated firmware to ensure that the patch effectively resolves the buffer overflow without introducing new operational issues in the surveillance environment.