CVE-2016-5680 in ReadyNAS Surveillance
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in cgi-bin/cgi_main in NUUO NVRmini 2 1.7.6 through 3.0.0 and NETGEAR ReadyNAS Surveillance 1.1.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via the sn parameter to the transfer_license command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5680 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting NUUO NVRmini 2 devices running firmware versions 1.7.6 through 3.0.0 and NETGEAR ReadyNAS Surveillance 1.1.2 systems. This vulnerability resides within the cgi-bin/cgi_main component of these network video recording systems, which are commonly deployed for security surveillance and monitoring purposes in enterprise and residential environments. The flaw manifests when processing the sn parameter within the transfer_license command, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's memory management mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the web application's command processing layer. When the sn parameter is submitted to the transfer_license command, the system fails to adequately bounds-check the input data before copying it to a fixed-size stack buffer. This oversight allows an authenticated attacker to supply input data exceeding the buffer's allocated capacity, resulting in memory corruption that can be leveraged to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations including return addresses and control data. The vulnerability operates under CWE-121 which categorizes stack-based buffer overflows as a fundamental memory safety issue, making it particularly dangerous due to its potential for arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that can fundamentally compromise the security posture of affected surveillance systems. An authenticated attacker who can access the web management interface of these devices can craft malicious requests that trigger the buffer overflow, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process. This presents a significant risk to organizations relying on these systems for security monitoring, as attackers could gain complete control over the device, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or use as a pivot point for broader network attacks. The vulnerability affects systems that are often deployed in sensitive environments where physical security and digital access controls are paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5680 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from both NUUO and NETGEAR vendors, as these manufacturers have released patches addressing the specific buffer overflow condition in their affected products. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks, while monitoring for suspicious web requests containing unusual parameter values should be enabled. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter indicates that attackers may attempt to leverage this flaw for persistent access through command execution capabilities, making defensive measures such as input validation and network monitoring essential. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive incident response procedures for handling potential compromise scenarios. The remediation process should include thorough testing of firmware updates in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to ensure continued operational functionality while addressing the identified vulnerability.