CVE-2013-4982 in AVN801 DVR
Summary
by MITRE
AVTECH AVN801 DVR has a security bypass via the administration login captcha
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2024
The AVTECH AVN801 Digital Video Recorder suffers from a critical security bypass vulnerability that undermines the integrity of its administrative access controls. This vulnerability specifically targets the captcha verification mechanism designed to prevent unauthorized administrative logins. The flaw allows attackers to bypass the captcha protection entirely, potentially enabling them to gain administrative access to the device without proper authentication. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of captcha responses during the administrative login process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent the intended security controls.
This security bypass represents a significant weakness in the device's authentication framework and can be classified under CWE-305 Authentication Bypass. The vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and violates fundamental security requirements for access control mechanisms. The attacker can exploit this flaw by submitting invalid or precomputed captcha responses that are accepted by the system, effectively neutralizing the intended protection. The issue demonstrates a failure in implementing proper input validation and authentication flow control, which are essential components of secure application design.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized surveillance access. An attacker who successfully bypasses the captcha can gain administrative privileges to modify system configurations, access stored video recordings, alter system settings, and potentially exfiltrate sensitive data. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on AVTECH DVR systems for security monitoring, as it creates a persistent backdoor for attackers to maintain long-term access to surveillance infrastructure. The risk is compounded by the fact that such devices are often deployed in sensitive environments where unauthorized access could result in significant security breaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from AVTECH to address the captcha validation flaw, along with network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces. Organizations should implement additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication and ensure that administrative interfaces are not directly accessible from untrusted networks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authentication flow design and input validation as outlined in the OWASP Authentication Cheat Sheet and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts for maintaining persistent access. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious login attempts and establish regular security assessments to identify similar authentication bypass opportunities.