CVE-2016-5677 in ReadyNAS Surveillance
Summary
by MITRE
NUUO NVRmini 2 1.7.5 through 3.0.0, NUUO NVRsolo 1.0.0 through 3.0.0, and NETGEAR ReadyNAS Surveillance 1.1.1 through 1.4.1 have a hardcoded qwe23622260 password for the nuuoeng account, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via an __nvr_status___.php request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5677 represents a critical security flaw affecting several network video recorder systems manufactured by NUUO and NETGEAR. This issue impacts the NVRmini 2 devices running firmware versions 1.7.5 through 3.0.0, the NVRsolo devices with firmware versions 1.0.0 through 3.0.0, and NETGEAR ReadyNAS Surveillance systems with firmware versions 1.1.1 through 1.4.1. The vulnerability stems from a hardcoded password configuration that violates fundamental security principles and creates persistent access points for malicious actors. This flaw specifically affects the nuuoeng account which is used for system operations and monitoring functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a hardcoded password value of qwe23622260 that is embedded within the firmware of these devices. This password is associated with the nuuoeng account, which serves as a privileged user account for system administration and monitoring functions. When remote attackers exploit this vulnerability, they can make requests to the _nvr_status_.php endpoint, which provides access to sensitive system information including device status, configuration details, and potentially other confidential data. This hardcoded credential approach directly violates security best practices and creates a persistent backdoor that remains active across device reboots and firmware updates. The vulnerability falls under CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded credentials in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access. Attackers who successfully exploit this weakness can gain comprehensive visibility into the surveillance systems, potentially accessing live video feeds, historical recordings, system configurations, and administrative controls. This exposure creates significant risks for organizations relying on these devices for security monitoring, as the attackers can not only view sensitive footage but also potentially manipulate system settings, disable security features, or establish persistent access points for further exploitation. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the devices or knowledge of the local network configuration.
This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1078 for valid accounts and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers can leverage the hardcoded credentials to establish persistent access and then enumerate other system services. The impact on organizations using these devices is substantial, as it effectively provides unauthorized access to critical security infrastructure without requiring any specialized knowledge or advanced exploitation techniques. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, data breaches, and operational disruptions when these systems are compromised. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper credential management and the dangers of embedding default passwords in production firmware, which directly conflicts with NIST SP 800-163 guidelines for secure system development practices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from affected organizations. The primary recommendation involves updating firmware to versions that remove or change the hardcoded password, though this may not be possible if the vendor has discontinued support for these specific device models. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate these devices from critical network segments, and access controls should be strengthened through the implementation of network access control lists and firewall rules that restrict access to these devices. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all affected devices within their network infrastructure and implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be performed to identify similar hardcoded credential issues in other networked devices and systems.