CVE-2017-2113 in TS-WPTCAM
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in TS-WPTCAM firmware version 1.18 and earlier, TS-WPTCAM2 firmware version 1.00, TS-WLCE firmware version 1.18 and earlier, TS-WLC2 firmware version 1.18 and earlier, TS-WRLC firmware version 1.17 and earlier, TS-PTCAM firmware version 1.18 and earlier, TS-PTCAM/POE firmware version 1.18 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting multiple firmware versions across various network camera and video management products from a specific manufacturer. The flaw exists within the TS-WPTCAM, TS-WPTCAM2, TS-WLCE, TS-WLC2, TS-WRLC, TS-PTCAM, and TS-PTCAM/POE device families, with affected versions including firmware releases up to and including 1.18 for most models and 1.17 for TS-WRLC. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the firmware's command processing routines, creating opportunities for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations through carefully crafted malicious inputs. This buffer overflow condition specifically affects the operating system command execution pathways, allowing remote attackers to inject and execute arbitrary operating system commands on the affected devices. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables full remote code execution capabilities without requiring authentication, making it a severe threat to network security infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw manifests when the firmware processes incoming network requests containing malicious data payloads that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing information to spill into adjacent memory regions. This overflow can overwrite critical program execution elements including return addresses, function pointers, or other control flow data structures. The attack vector remains unspecified in the CVE description but typically involves sending specially crafted network packets or HTTP requests to the affected devices, leveraging the lack of proper input sanitization mechanisms. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers can exploit it from outside the local network perimeter, potentially compromising entire video surveillance systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple device compromise, as it enables complete system takeover and persistent backdoor access to critical security infrastructure. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected device's operating system, potentially leading to unauthorized access to video feeds, modification of security settings, or use of the compromised devices as launch points for further attacks within the network. The affected devices typically serve as surveillance endpoints in critical infrastructure environments, making their compromise particularly dangerous for organizations relying on video monitoring for security operations. Network administrators face significant challenges in identifying and remediating this vulnerability due to the wide range of affected models and firmware versions, requiring comprehensive inventory assessments and coordinated patch deployment across multiple device types. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access points within networks, potentially enabling long-term surveillance operations or serving as command and control channels for broader attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including firmware updates from the manufacturer to address the buffer overflow conditions in affected device versions. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices, deploying firewalls and access control lists to restrict network communication to only necessary services. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual command execution or data exfiltration activities. Device hardening measures including disabling unnecessary services, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and regular security audits should be implemented as additional protective layers. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework places it within the privilege escalation and remote code execution domains, requiring security teams to consider broader attack surface implications. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar conditions in other network infrastructure components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in embedded systems. Organizations must also develop incident response procedures specifically addressing compromised surveillance infrastructure to ensure rapid identification and remediation of exploitation attempts.