CVE-2017-10718 in Endoscope
Summary
by MITRE
Recently it was discovered as a part of the research on IoT devices in the most recent firmware for Shekar Endoscope that any malicious user connecting to the device can change the default SSID and password thereby denying the owner an access to his/her own device. This device acts as an Endoscope camera that allows its users to use it in various industrial systems and settings, car garages, and also in some cases in the medical clinics to get access to areas that are difficult for a human being to reach. Any breach of this system can allow an attacker to get access to video feed and pictures viewed by that user and might allow them to get a foot hold in air gapped networks especially in case of nation critical infrastructure/industries.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10718 represents a critical security flaw in IoT device firmware, specifically affecting Shekar Endoscope devices used in industrial and medical environments. This weakness stems from inadequate authentication mechanisms and improper access control implementation, allowing unauthorized users to modify fundamental network configuration parameters. The device operates as an endoscope camera system designed for accessing hard-to-reach areas in various sectors including automotive repair facilities, industrial maintenance operations, and medical diagnostic applications. The security breach occurs when a malicious actor connects to the device and alters the default SSID and password credentials, effectively locking out legitimate owners from accessing their own equipment. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, and represents a significant deviation from secure coding practices that should ensure proper credential management and access control validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, creating potential pathways for broader network compromise within critical infrastructure environments. When attackers gain control of these endoscope devices, they can intercept and potentially manipulate video feeds and image data captured during inspections, which may contain sensitive operational information or medical data. The threat is particularly concerning in air-gapped network environments where these devices might be deployed for monitoring critical systems, as the compromised device could serve as a foothold for lateral movement and persistence within otherwise isolated networks. This vulnerability demonstrates the dangerous intersection of IoT device security weaknesses and industrial control systems, where a single compromised endpoint can potentially compromise entire operational networks. The attack vector leverages the principle of least privilege violation, where default credentials are not properly secured and can be modified without proper authorization, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security architecture improvements. Organizations should implement mandatory credential change policies upon device initialization, enforce strong password requirements, and disable default accounts and credentials in all IoT deployments. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized configuration changes, while regular security assessments should verify that default settings cannot be modified by unauthorized parties. The solution approach should incorporate proper authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication where feasible, and establish secure boot processes that prevent unauthorized firmware modifications. Additionally, device manufacturers must adopt secure development lifecycle practices that include threat modeling and security testing to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future deployments. This vulnerability highlights the critical need for robust access control implementation in IoT devices and represents a prime example of how inadequate security controls in edge devices can compromise entire enterprise security postures, particularly in high-stakes environments where device integrity directly impacts operational safety and data confidentiality.