CVE-2017-10796 in NC250
Summary
by MITRE
On TP-Link NC250 devices with firmware through 1.2.1 build 170515, anyone can view video and audio without authentication via an rtsp://admin@yourip:554/h264_hd.sdp URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10796 affects TP-Link NC250 network cameras and represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in the device's streaming protocol implementation. This weakness allows unauthorized users to access live video and audio feeds from the surveillance device without requiring any valid credentials, fundamentally compromising the security posture of the affected network infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically resides in the RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) implementation of the device's firmware, which fails to properly validate authentication requests before granting access to streaming resources. This flaw affects all firmware versions through 1.2.1 build 1.2.1 build 170515, indicating a persistent issue that remained unaddressed for an extended period.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a simple URL structure that leverages the default administrative credentials embedded within the device's RTSP implementation. The URL format rtsp://admin@yourip:554/h264_hd.sdp provides immediate access to high-definition video streams without requiring any authentication mechanisms. This represents a classic case of insecure default configuration where the system assumes that the default administrative account should be accessible to anyone who knows the protocol structure, creating an attack surface that violates fundamental security principles of access control. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and specifically demonstrates the dangers of hard-coded credentials that remain unchanged in production environments. The RTSP protocol itself is designed for real-time media streaming and typically requires proper authentication, but the TP-Link implementation fails to enforce these security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access to video feeds. Network administrators and security professionals face significant risks when such devices remain unpatched, as they become potential entry points for broader network infiltration. The exposure of live video feeds can lead to privacy violations, physical security breaches, and potential corporate espionage, especially when these devices are deployed in sensitive locations such as corporate offices, retail environments, or residential properties. The vulnerability enables attackers to monitor activities in real-time, potentially gathering intelligence about building layouts, personnel schedules, and security patterns that could be exploited for more sophisticated attacks. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential harvesting through social engineering and network reconnaissance, as the vulnerability allows for passive reconnaissance of physical environments without requiring active exploitation of network services. The lack of authentication enforcement creates an ideal environment for persistent monitoring and data collection activities.
Organizations should immediately implement network segmentation and access control measures to isolate affected devices from critical network segments, while also deploying network monitoring tools to detect unauthorized access attempts to streaming protocols. The most effective mitigation strategy involves firmware updates to versions that properly implement authentication controls for RTSP streams, though administrators should verify that the updates address the specific authentication bypass mechanism. Network administrators should also consider implementing firewall rules that restrict access to RTSP ports and streaming protocols to authorized IP addresses only, while conducting thorough inventory audits to identify all affected devices within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of regularly updating security firmware and implementing proper network access controls to prevent unauthorized access to surveillance systems, which are increasingly targeted as part of broader cyber attacks targeting physical security infrastructure.