CVE-2015-8039 in SmartViewer
Summary
by MITRE
Samsung SmartViewer allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors to the (1) DVRSetupSave method in the STWAxConfig control or (2) SendCustomPacket method in the STWAxConfigNVR control, which trigger an untrusted pointer dereference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2018
Samsung SmartViewer software contains a critical remote code execution vulnerability through unspecified vectors in two distinct methods of the STWAxConfig control component. The vulnerability manifests specifically in the DVRSetupSave method and the SendCustomPacket method, both of which are part of the STWAxConfigNVR control. These methods trigger an untrusted pointer dereference condition that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw exists within the handling of user-supplied input parameters that are passed to these methods without adequate validation or sanitization. When an attacker crafts malicious input to these methods, the software attempts to dereference a pointer that points to an arbitrary memory location controlled by the attacker, enabling code execution. This vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow scenario where the application fails to properly validate input data before processing it through the vulnerable methods.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management practices within the SmartViewer application's control components. The STWAxConfig control and STWAxConfigNVR control are responsible for handling configuration data for DVR and NVR systems respectively. When these controls receive input through the vulnerable methods, they fail to validate the pointer values or input parameters, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the execution flow of the application. The untrusted pointer dereference occurs because the software assumes that incoming data is valid and does not perform proper bounds checking or pointer validation. This type of vulnerability is classified as a memory corruption vulnerability and can be categorized under CWE-476 as Null Pointer Dereference, though the specific implementation involves untrusted pointer manipulation rather than simple null pointer access. The vulnerability allows attackers to execute code with the privileges of the affected application, typically SYSTEM level privileges on Windows operating systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8039 is severe and far-reaching for organizations using Samsung SmartViewer software in their surveillance infrastructure. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to unauthorized access to surveillance footage, system compromise, and lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects both DVR and NVR systems, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on Samsung surveillance equipment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, modify surveillance data, or use the compromised systems as launching points for further attacks against other networked devices. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the systems, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise security. This vulnerability directly aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it enables both remote code execution and privilege escalation capabilities.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability. The primary mitigation strategy involves applying the official security patches released by Samsung to address the specific pointer dereference issues in the STWAxConfig control components. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate surveillance systems from general network access, reducing the attack surface for remote exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should deploy intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious network traffic patterns associated with exploitation attempts. Input validation should be enhanced at the application level to prevent malformed data from reaching the vulnerable methods, though this may require application-level modifications that could impact functionality. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the surveillance infrastructure. System monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual processes or network connections that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, particularly for components that handle external data input in security-critical applications, and aligns with industry best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks for preventing memory corruption vulnerabilities.