CVE-2015-2280 in SkyIPCam1620W
Summary
by MITRE
snwrite.cgi in AirLink101 SkyIPCam1620W Wireless N MPEG4 3GPP network camera with firmware FW_AIC1620W_1.1.0-12_20120709_r1192.pck allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary OS commands via shell metacharacters in the mac parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2024
The CVE-2015-2280 vulnerability affects the AirLink101 SkyIPCam1620W wireless network camera running firmware version FW_AIC1620W_1.1.0-12_20120709_r1192.pck. This device represents a critical security flaw in embedded network camera systems that operate within the consumer and small business IoT ecosystem. The vulnerability resides in the snwrite.cgi web script which handles command execution for network camera operations. The specific implementation flaw allows authenticated users to inject malicious shell metacharacters into the mac parameter, thereby enabling arbitrary operating system command execution on the device. This represents a severe privilege escalation vulnerability where legitimate authenticated users can leverage their access to gain full system control over the camera device. The attack vector demonstrates a classic command injection vulnerability that falls under CWE-77, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within a network camera environment where users may have legitimate access for configuration purposes, yet the implementation fails to properly sanitize input parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the mac parameter within the snwrite.cgi script, which processes network management commands for the camera device. When authenticated users submit malicious input containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs before executing them as part of the underlying operating system commands. The camera's firmware architecture appears to directly execute shell commands without adequate input filtering, creating a direct pathway for command injection attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of system commands through the web interface. The device's architecture likely uses a standard embedded Linux system with a web server component that processes CGI scripts, making it susceptible to traditional web application injection flaws. The authentication mechanism provides a false sense of security since legitimate access credentials do not prevent malicious command execution, indicating a fundamental flaw in input validation architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete system compromise of the affected network camera. An attacker with authenticated access can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process, which typically runs with elevated system permissions on embedded devices. This could enable attackers to modify camera configuration settings, capture or manipulate video feeds, install persistent backdoors, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other network resources. The compromised camera could serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration, particularly in environments where network cameras are connected to internal networks without proper segmentation. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the camera's services, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt surveillance operations or exfiltrate sensitive visual data. The device's wireless capabilities and network connectivity make it an attractive target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access points within corporate or residential networks, representing a significant risk to overall network security posture.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from device administrators and security teams. The primary recommendation involves applying firmware updates from the vendor to address the command injection flaw in the snwrite.cgi script. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate network cameras from critical business systems and establish proper access controls to limit authentication privileges. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns or unexpected network traffic originating from camera devices. The implementation of input validation controls at the web application level should be enforced to sanitize all user-supplied parameters before processing. Security teams should consider disabling unnecessary web services or interfaces on the camera devices and implement regular security assessments of IoT devices within their environments. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems and demonstrates how authentication mechanisms alone are insufficient without proper input validation and sanitization. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control lists and intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential exploitation attempts targeting similar vulnerabilities in network camera infrastructure. The incident underscores the critical need for regular firmware updates and security assessments of IoT devices to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities that could compromise entire network infrastructures.