CVE-2016-5667 in DM-TXRX-100-STR
Summary
by MITRE
Crestron Electronics DM-TXRX-100-STR devices with firmware before 1.3039.00040 allow remote attackers to bypass authentication via a direct request to a page other than index.html.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5667 affects Crestron Electronics DM-TXRX-100-STR devices, which are part of the company's digital media distribution and control systems. These devices are commonly deployed in enterprise environments for managing audiovisual content and system controls, making them critical components in modern smart building and conference room automation systems. The vulnerability stems from improper authentication mechanisms within the device's web interface, specifically in how the system handles direct access requests to various pages within its web application framework. This flaw exists in firmware versions prior to 1.3039.00040, indicating that Crestron had already identified and addressed this issue in subsequent releases.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific attack vector that bypasses the normal authentication process by directly requesting pages other than the default index.html page. This flaw represents a classic authentication bypass vulnerability that can be categorized under CWE-287, which deals with improper authentication mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to the device's administrative interface without proper credentials, effectively allowing them to perform administrative actions including configuration changes, firmware updates, or access to sensitive system information. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the web application's access control implementation, where the system does not properly validate user authentication status before granting access to protected resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can lead to complete system compromise and potential network infiltration. In enterprise environments, these DM-TXRX-100-STR devices often serve as central control points for larger AV systems, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to gain persistence within the network. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which covers credential harvesting, as attackers could use this bypass to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within the AV control network. Organizations relying on these devices for critical operations may face disruptions to their audiovisual systems, potential data exposure, and compromised security posture that could enable further lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5667 primarily focus on firmware updates and network segmentation. Organizations should immediately upgrade all affected DM-TXRX-100-STR devices to firmware version 1.3039.00040 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the authentication bypass vulnerability. Network administrators should also implement proper network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical network segments and apply additional security controls such as firewall rules that restrict access to the device's web interface to only authorized management stations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing proper access controls, as it demonstrates how a single authentication flaw can compromise entire system architectures. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their AV control systems and implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to these critical infrastructure components.