CVE-2016-10115 in Arlo
Summary
by MITRE
NETGEAR Arlo base stations with firmware 1.7.5_6178 and earlier, Arlo Q devices with firmware 1.8.0_5551 and earlier, and Arlo Q Plus devices with firmware 1.8.1_6094 and earlier have a default password of 12345678, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access after a factory reset or in a factory configuration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2017
This vulnerability affects NETGEAR Arlo security camera systems including base stations and Q/Q Plus devices with specific firmware versions. The flaw stems from a hardcoded default password of 12345678 that persists even after factory reset operations, creating a persistent security weakness in the device configuration process. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-798 as the use of hard-coded credentials, which represents a fundamental security misconfiguration that significantly weakens the overall security posture of the affected devices. This issue allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to the security camera systems without requiring additional authentication factors or complex attack vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the device initialization level where the default password is embedded within the firmware image itself rather than being dynamically generated or securely configured during the provisioning process. When devices undergo factory reset operations, they should ideally clear all previous configurations including passwords, but in this case the system retains the default credential, effectively bypassing the intended security mechanisms. This behavior violates standard security practices outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and represents a failure in secure configuration management. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to access devices during their initial setup phase or after reset operations, when users might not be actively monitoring the device status.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass broader security implications for home and commercial surveillance systems. Attackers can remotely compromise these devices and potentially gain access to live video feeds, modify device settings, or use the compromised cameras as entry points for broader network infiltration. This represents a significant risk to privacy and security as these devices are typically deployed in sensitive environments where unauthorized access could lead to surveillance violations or further network compromise. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers legitimate credentials, and T1046 which involves network service scanning to identify vulnerable devices. The weakness creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access to surveillance networks and potentially use the compromised devices for reconnaissance or as pivot points for additional attacks within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates from NETGEAR to address the hardcoded credential issue, along with mandatory password change procedures during initial device setup. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to isolate security camera devices from critical systems and consider deploying network monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts. Device manufacturers should follow secure coding practices that eliminate hardcoded credentials and implement robust authentication mechanisms that cannot be bypassed through factory reset operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper secure configuration management and the need for manufacturers to follow security best practices as outlined in ISO/IEC 27001 and NIST SP 800-53 security controls. Users should be educated about the risks of default credentials and the importance of changing initial passwords immediately upon device setup.