CVE-2014-0673 in Video Surveillance 5000
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the web interface on Cisco Video Surveillance 5000 HD IP Dome cameras allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL, aka Bug IDs CSCud10943 and CSCud10950.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0673 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Cisco Video Surveillance 5000 HD IP Dome cameras. This security weakness resides within the device's web interface, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute malicious code through carefully crafted URLs. The vulnerability impacts a specific line of network video surveillance equipment that serves as a cornerstone for security monitoring systems in enterprise environments. The affected cameras operate with web-based management interfaces that fail to properly sanitize user input, creating persistent XSS attack vectors that can be exploited from remote locations without requiring authentication or physical access to the devices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the web application layer of the Cisco video surveillance devices. Attackers can construct malicious URLs that contain embedded script code which gets executed when the victim's browser renders the page. This flaw is classified as CWE-79 - Cross-site Scripting, specifically manifesting as reflected XSS where the malicious payload is embedded in the URL parameter and executed by the vulnerable web interface. The vulnerability affects the camera's web management portal, which handles various configuration parameters through URL-based interfaces, making it particularly dangerous as legitimate users may unknowingly navigate to maliciously crafted URLs that contain the embedded attack code.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0673 extends beyond simple script injection, creating potential for more sophisticated attacks within network security infrastructures. Remote attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or execute arbitrary commands within the context of the victim's browser session. In enterprise environments where these cameras are deployed for security monitoring, such an attack could compromise the integrity of surveillance systems, potentially allowing unauthorized access to live video feeds or complete system control. The vulnerability affects the camera's ability to maintain secure communication channels, as attackers can manipulate the web interface to inject malicious content that persists across user sessions. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad, particularly compromising the integrity and availability of the surveillance infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0673 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Cisco to address the identified XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations must implement network segmentation to isolate surveillance equipment from critical business systems, reducing potential attack surface. Network administrators should deploy web application firewalls and implement strict input validation policies to prevent malicious URLs from reaching vulnerable devices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, with potential lateral movement capabilities through compromised surveillance systems. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict access controls for web management interfaces, disabling unnecessary web services, and conducting regular security assessments of networked surveillance equipment. Organizations should also establish monitoring protocols to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on URL parameters that contain suspicious script content or unusual encoding patterns that are characteristic of XSS attack vectors.