CVE-2015-2887 in M3S
Summary
by MITRE
iBaby M3S has a password of admin for the backdoor admin account.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2887 represents a critical security flaw in the iBaby M3S device, a network-connected baby monitor system. This issue stems from a hardcoded administrative credential that persists across all instances of the device, creating an inherent backdoor access mechanism. The device ships with a default password of "admin" for its administrative account, which violates fundamental security principles and exposes users to unauthorized access. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software systems, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no sophisticated attack techniques to exploit.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves a static authentication mechanism within the device's firmware where the administrative account credentials are embedded directly into the code rather than being dynamically generated or securely stored. This hardcoded approach means that anyone with knowledge of the default credentials can gain full administrative control over the device, including access to live video feeds, audio recordings, and device configuration settings. The vulnerability affects the authentication layer of the device's web interface and potentially any remote management protocols that rely on the same credential mechanism. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform actions such as changing device settings, accessing stored media, or even using the device as a pivot point for further network infiltration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual device compromise to create broader security concerns for users and network administrators. The default administrative credentials provide attackers with complete control over the surveillance equipment, potentially exposing sensitive family information and creating privacy violations. Organizations that deploy these devices in commercial or institutional settings face significant risks as the backdoor access could be exploited to monitor activities, gather intelligence, or disrupt operations. The vulnerability also creates challenges for network segmentation since compromised devices can serve as entry points for lateral movement within corporate or residential networks. This weakness directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials use and can lead to privilege escalation and persistent access within target environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2887 require immediate action from device owners and administrators. The most effective immediate solution involves changing the default administrative password to a strong, unique credential that is not included in any public databases or default configuration files. Users should implement complex passwords that include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Network segmentation practices should be implemented to isolate these devices from critical network segments, limiting the potential impact of compromise. Regular firmware updates should be applied to ensure that manufacturers have addressed known vulnerabilities, though in this case the issue is a design flaw that requires manual intervention. Security monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts, and network administrators should consider disabling unnecessary services and remote management features. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure default configurations and the need for manufacturers to implement proper authentication mechanisms that do not rely on hardcoded credentials. Organizations should also consider conducting regular security assessments of IoT devices to identify similar issues that may exist in other networked equipment.