CVE-2015-0930 in HVG Video Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
The web interface on SerVision HVG Video Gateway devices with firmware before 2.2.26a100 has a hardcoded administrative password, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access via an HTTP session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The SerVision HVG Video Gateway represents a class of networked video surveillance equipment that provides web-based management interfaces for configuration and monitoring purposes. These devices are commonly deployed in enterprise and industrial environments where video security systems require centralized administration. The vulnerability in question affects firmware versions prior to 2.2.26a100, indicating a specific software regression or oversight in the device's authentication implementation. This issue demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the device's security architecture where hardcoded credentials are embedded within the firmware image, creating a persistent backdoor that remains accessible regardless of administrative configuration changes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the presence of a hardcoded administrative password within the device firmware itself rather than generating unique credentials during the initial setup process. This approach violates established security principles and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. When attackers can access the web interface through HTTP sessions, they exploit the predictable nature of hardcoded credentials to gain immediate administrative access to the device. The use of HTTP instead of HTTPS further compounds the vulnerability by transmitting credentials in plaintext, making the attack surface even more extensive. This hardcoded credential mechanism creates a persistent threat vector that remains active across device reboots and configuration resets, as the credentials are embedded within the firmware binary itself.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete compromise of the video gateway device. Once attackers gain administrative access, they can modify device configurations, install malicious firmware, redirect traffic, or establish persistent backdoors within the network. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the device or knowledge of the local network topology to exploit this vulnerability. This weakness particularly affects organizations that deploy multiple SerVision HVG devices, as compromising one device can potentially provide attackers with access to an entire surveillance network. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity of video surveillance data, as attackers can modify or delete recorded footage, potentially compromising evidence in security investigations.
Security mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate firmware updates to version 2.2.26a100 or later, which addresses the hardcoded credential issue through proper authentication mechanisms. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical network segments and apply strict firewall rules to limit access to the web interface. The implementation of HTTPS encryption for web management interfaces should be enforced to prevent credential interception during transmission. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns or authentication attempts to these devices. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which addresses the use of hardcoded credentials, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts, as attackers can leverage the hardcoded administrative credentials to establish persistent access. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar hardcoded credentials in other networked devices, as this represents a common pattern in embedded systems and IoT devices where security considerations are often secondary to functionality.