CVE-2015-4407 in NVR DS-76xxNI-E1
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow on Hikvision NVR DS-76xxNI-E1/2 and DS-77xxxNI-E4 devices before 3.4.0 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (service interruption) via a crafted HTTP request, aka the PSIA issue.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2015-4407 represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting Hikvision network video recorder devices, specifically the DS-76xxNI-E1/2 and DS-77xxxNI-E4 models. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the PSIA (Physical Security Information API) implementation, which is a standardized protocol for integrating physical security systems with IT infrastructure. The flaw exists in the web server component of these devices, where HTTP request handling does not properly validate the length of incoming data, creating an exploitable buffer overflow condition that can be triggered remotely by authenticated users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the device's failure to enforce proper bounds checking on user-supplied data within HTTP request parameters. When an authenticated attacker sends a specially crafted HTTP request containing excessive data in specific fields, the device's processing routine fails to validate the buffer size, leading to memory corruption. This memory corruption manifests as a service interruption or complete system crash, effectively causing a denial of service condition that renders the network video recorder unavailable for legitimate security operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication credentials, making it accessible to users with legitimate access rights.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially compromise the integrity of security infrastructure. Network video recorders serve as critical components in surveillance systems, and their unavailability can leave monitored areas unprotected during the service interruption period. The vulnerability affects devices running firmware versions prior to 3.4.0, indicating that organizations relying on older firmware versions face significant risk. Security operations teams may experience challenges in maintaining continuous monitoring capabilities, as the device becomes unresponsive to legitimate administrative commands and user access requests.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4407 should prioritize immediate firmware updates to version 3.4.0 or later, which contain patches addressing the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices, ensuring that only authorized personnel can establish connections. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter HTTP requests, enabling logging and monitoring of suspicious authentication patterns, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of security infrastructure components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how protocol implementation flaws can create denial of service vulnerabilities. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK matrix as part of the privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, potentially enabling attackers to maintain persistent access while disrupting security operations.