CVE-2016-10116 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 use a pattern of adjective, noun, and three-digit number for the customized password, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access via a dictionary attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10116 affects NETGEAR Arlo security camera systems including base stations and Q/Q Plus devices with specific firmware versions. This weakness stems from the predictable password generation algorithm that uses a pattern consisting of an adjective, noun, and three-digit number. The implementation of such a structured password format significantly reduces the complexity of potential password combinations, making these devices particularly susceptible to automated dictionary attacks. The predictable nature of these passwords creates a substantial security risk for users who rely on these devices for home or business surveillance purposes.
The technical flaw lies in the weak entropy and predictability of the password generation mechanism. According to CWE-338, this vulnerability represents a weakness in random number generation where the password structure follows a deterministic pattern rather than utilizing cryptographically secure randomization. The three-digit number component further compounds the issue by limiting the potential combinations to only 1000 possibilities, while the adjective and noun components are drawn from predefined lists that attackers can easily enumerate. This design flaw directly violates security best practices for password generation and authentication mechanisms, as outlined in NIST SP 800-63B guidelines for digital identity management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for users of affected NETGEAR Arlo devices, as it enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to surveillance systems without requiring advanced technical skills or expensive computational resources. Attackers can leverage dictionary attacks to systematically test combinations of common adjectives, nouns, and three-digit numbers, with a high probability of success given the limited search space. This compromise can result in complete unauthorized access to video feeds, enabling surveillance of private property, theft of sensitive information, and potential use of the compromised devices as entry points for broader network attacks. The vulnerability affects not just individual device security but also the overall integrity of home and business security infrastructures that depend on these systems.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates from NETGEAR to address the password generation weakness, as well as implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should consider disabling remote access features when possible and implementing multi-factor authentication where available. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper randomization in security-critical systems and serves as a reminder of the need for thorough security testing during the development lifecycle. According to MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1110.003 for credential access through password guessing and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, emphasizing the multi-faceted nature of the threat posed by predictable authentication mechanisms. Users should also consider replacing affected devices with models that implement stronger authentication protocols and cryptographic randomization for password generation.