CVE-2016-2357 in IP Security Camera
Summary
by MITRE
Milesight IP security cameras through 2016-11-14 have a hardcoded SSL private key under the /etc/config directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2357 affects Milesight IP security cameras running versions up to November 14, 2016, presenting a critical security weakness through the presence of a hardcoded SSL private key within the camera's configuration directory. This flaw represents a fundamental failure in cryptographic key management practices and directly violates established security principles for secure communications. The hardcoded private key exists in the /etc/config directory structure, making it accessible to any attacker who can gain access to the device's file system or network interfaces that expose this configuration path. This vulnerability falls under CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through the improper handling of cryptographic keys, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for unsecured credentials and T1071.001 for application layer protocol usage.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the camera firmware's design where developers embedded a static private key directly into the device's software configuration rather than generating unique keys per device during manufacturing or deployment. This approach eliminates the principle of unique device identification and cryptographic separation that is fundamental to secure communication protocols. When a camera uses a hardcoded private key, any individual who discovers or extracts this key can impersonate the device, decrypt communications, or perform man-in-the-middle attacks against the network. The presence of this key in the /etc/config directory indicates poor access control mechanisms and insufficient file system permissions, as this sensitive information should be protected with restricted access controls and proper cryptographic key management procedures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of any network infrastructure relying on these cameras for surveillance and monitoring. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to video streams, manipulate camera configurations, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for further network exploration. The vulnerability affects not only the cameras themselves but also the broader security ecosystem, as compromised cameras can serve as entry points for lateral movement within corporate or residential networks. Network administrators face the challenge of identifying all affected devices across their infrastructure, as these cameras may be deployed in remote locations with limited visibility or monitoring capabilities, creating potential blind spots in security coverage. This vulnerability particularly impacts organizations following NIST SP 800-53 security controls, specifically those related to key management and cryptographic protection of information assets.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2357 require immediate action to address the hardcoded key exposure and implement proper cryptographic key management practices. Organizations should first inventory all affected Milesight cameras and update firmware to versions that eliminate the hardcoded key and implement proper key generation mechanisms. The recommended approach involves replacing the static key with dynamically generated unique keys for each device, following secure key management protocols that align with NIST SP 800-38B for key derivation functions and FIPS 140-2 for cryptographic module validation. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate camera networks from critical business systems, and access controls should be enforced through proper authentication mechanisms that do not rely on hardcoded credentials. Additionally, organizations should implement continuous monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and establish procedures for regular security assessments of networked devices, particularly those with hardcoded credentials or cryptographic keys. The remediation process must include verification that the hardcoded key has been completely removed from the device configuration and that new keys have been properly generated and distributed according to established security protocols.