CVE-2017-14953 in Wi-Fi IP Camera
Summary
by MITRE
HikVision Wi-Fi IP cameras, when used in a wired configuration, allow physically proximate attackers to trigger association with an arbitrary access point by leveraging a default SSID with no WiFi encryption or authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14953 affects HikVision Wi-Fi IP cameras that are configured to operate in wired mode but retain wireless capabilities. This security flaw stems from the device's default configuration where the wireless interface maintains an open SSID with no encryption or authentication mechanisms enabled. The issue represents a critical weakness in the device's network security posture, as it creates an attack vector that can be exploited by adversaries who are physically present in the vicinity of the camera installation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the camera's wireless subsystem maintaining default settings that include an SSID named "Hikvision" or similar variants without any form of wireless security protocols. This configuration allows any wireless device within range to connect to the camera's wireless interface without requiring authentication credentials or encryption keys. The flaw exists regardless of whether the camera is physically connected via Ethernet cable, as the wireless functionality remains active and accessible. This represents a failure in secure default configuration practices and violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on HikVision cameras for surveillance and security monitoring. An attacker with physical proximity can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to the camera's wireless interface, potentially enabling them to modify camera settings, access video feeds, or even install malicious firmware. The vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor that can be exploited repeatedly, as the default configuration remains unchanged unless manually updated by system administrators. This type of attack falls under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1046 for Network Service Scanning and T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers can use the wireless interface to establish communication with the camera and potentially pivot to other network segments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from system administrators to address the insecure default wireless configuration. The recommended approach involves disabling the wireless interface entirely when operating in wired mode or configuring strong authentication and encryption protocols such as WPA2-PSK with robust passwords. Organizations should implement regular security audits to identify devices with default configurations and ensure that wireless security settings are properly configured according to industry standards. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure configuration guidelines and demonstrates how default insecure settings can create persistent security risks in networked devices. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unauthorized wireless access attempts and prevent potential exploitation of this flaw across enterprise environments.