CVE-2016-15038 in NVRmini 2
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2024
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in NUUO NVRmini 2 up to 3.0.8. Affected is an unknown function of the file /deletefile.php. The manipulation of the argument filename leads to path traversal. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-258780.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-15038 represents a critical path traversal flaw in NUUO NVRmini 2 devices running firmware versions up to 3.0.8. This security weakness exists within the /deletefile.php component of the device's web interface, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to manipulate the filename parameter. The vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of user-supplied data, enabling malicious actors to craft specially formatted requests that can traverse the file system beyond intended boundaries. The affected device operates as a network video recorder that stores and manages security camera footage, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on these systems for surveillance operations. The path traversal vulnerability specifically allows attackers to access files outside of the intended directory structure, potentially exposing sensitive system information, configuration files, or even allowing arbitrary file deletion operations. Given that the attack can be executed remotely without requiring physical access to the device, the threat surface is significantly expanded, making it a serious concern for network administrators and security professionals responsible for protecting video surveillance infrastructure. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which defines path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities as weaknesses that occur when an application allows user-controllable input to specify a path that should be accessed, but does not properly validate or sanitize that input. The remote exploit capability of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of remote services to gain initial access to systems, while the path traversal aspect corresponds to T1083, which covers the discovery of files and directories through various reconnaissance techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-15038 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it could potentially enable complete system compromise through a series of chained attacks. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to not only delete critical surveillance files but also to access system configuration data, credentials, or other sensitive information stored on the device. The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in denial of service conditions if critical system files are deleted or corrupted, while also potentially enabling further attacks against the broader network infrastructure. Organizations using NUUO NVRmini 2 devices may find their security monitoring capabilities severely compromised, as attackers could manipulate or destroy evidence of security incidents. The vulnerability's disclosure in public repositories increases the likelihood of exploitation by threat actors who may not require advanced technical skills to leverage this weakness. The attack vector through the web interface means that even organizations with segmented networks could be at risk, as the vulnerability allows for unauthenticated remote access to the device's file system. Network traffic analysis may reveal exploitation attempts through malformed requests targeting the vulnerable /deletefile.php endpoint, making the vulnerability detectable through proper network monitoring and intrusion detection systems. This weakness essentially undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the device's file system access controls, allowing attackers to bypass normal access restrictions through simple parameter manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-15038 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from NUUO to address the underlying path traversal vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical network segments, limiting potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. Network access control lists should be configured to restrict access to the device's web interface, limiting connections to trusted IP addresses and implementing strong authentication mechanisms. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file access patterns and malformed requests targeting the /deletefile.php endpoint, with alerts configured for suspicious path traversal attempts. Device administrators should conduct thorough inventory checks to identify all affected NUUO NVRmini 2 units within their network infrastructure and ensure that all devices are updated to the latest firmware version that addresses this vulnerability. Regular security assessments should include testing for similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other networked devices and applications, as this weakness is commonly found in web applications that fail to properly validate file system access requests. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all user-controllable parameters, particularly those that influence file system operations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to provide an additional layer of protection against exploitation attempts targeting this and similar vulnerabilities. The disclosure of this exploit demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining current security patches and the potential consequences of running outdated firmware on networked security devices.