CVE-2016-2356 in IP Security Camera
Summary
by MITRE
Milesight IP security cameras through 2016-11-14 have a buffer overflow in a web application via a long username or password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2024
The CVE-2016-2356 vulnerability affects Milesight IP security cameras with firmware versions released through November 14, 2016, presenting a critical buffer overflow condition within the device's web application interface. This flaw arises from insufficient input validation when processing authentication credentials, specifically targeting the username and password fields during login operations. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking in the web server component that handles user authentication requests, allowing malicious actors to craft specially formatted inputs that exceed the allocated buffer space. The buffer overflow occurs when the device fails to properly sanitize or limit the length of authentication parameters, creating a condition where excessive data can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, representing a fundamental memory safety issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The affected web application interface serves as the primary attack vector, making the device's authentication mechanism inherently insecure when processing user credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass scenarios, as it provides attackers with potential remote code execution capabilities within the camera's operating environment. When an attacker successfully exploits the buffer overflow through a long username or password, they can manipulate the web server's memory layout to redirect program execution flow. This allows for the arbitrary execution of malicious code on the device, potentially enabling full system compromise. The vulnerability affects the camera's embedded operating system, which typically runs on resource-constrained hardware with limited security mitigations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to the device's file system, modify configuration settings, capture video streams, or even use the compromised camera as a pivot point for attacking other networked devices. The exploitation requires minimal privileges since the vulnerability exists within the authentication handling mechanism, making it particularly dangerous for security camera deployments in critical infrastructure environments where these devices often serve as network entry points.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2356 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Milesight to address the buffer overflow condition in the web application. Organizations must conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all affected camera models and firmware versions, ensuring complete remediation across their security infrastructure. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit direct exposure of these devices to untrusted networks, while also deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious authentication attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210 for exploitation of remote services and T1075 for legitimate credentials usage, making it a significant concern for both defensive and offensive cybersecurity operations. Additional protective measures include implementing strong authentication practices such as multi-factor authentication, disabling unnecessary services, and configuring network access controls to restrict web application access to authorized administrative networks only. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other networked devices, as this type of flaw commonly affects embedded systems with insufficient input validation mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous authentication patterns or buffer overflow exploitation attempts, providing early warning capabilities for potential attacks against their security camera infrastructure.