CVE-2017-2827 in C1 Indoor HD Camera
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable command injection vulnerability exists in the web management interface used by the Foscam C1 Indoor HD Camera running application firmware 2.52.2.37. A specially crafted HTTP request can allow for a user to inject arbitrary shell characters during account creation resulting in command injection. An attacker can simply send an HTTP request to the device to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2022
The CVE-2017-2827 vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw in the Foscam C1 Indoor HD Camera's web management interface, specifically affecting firmware version 2.52.2.37. This vulnerability resides within the account creation functionality where the device fails to properly sanitize user input, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary shell commands. The flaw manifests when an attacker crafts a specially designed HTTP request that bypasses input validation mechanisms, allowing shell metacharacters to be injected directly into the system's command execution pipeline. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer, leveraging the web interface's trust in user-provided data without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper validation or escaping.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with full command execution capabilities on the affected device. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or use of the device as a pivot point for further network attacks. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal sophistication - an attacker only needs to send a crafted HTTP request to the device, making this vulnerability highly exploitable in automated attack scenarios. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the critical importance of proper sanitization of all user-supplied data before it is processed by the system. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate the system's command execution flow, potentially enabling them to install backdoors, modify system configurations, or access sensitive device information.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a prime example of how embedded IoT devices often lack proper security controls in their web interfaces. The exploitation of such flaws aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 which covers command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on the use of shell commands for malicious purposes. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Foscam, network segmentation to limit access to these devices, and deployment of intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP requests. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in embedded systems, particularly in IoT devices where the attack surface is often limited but the potential impact is significant. Network administrators should consider blocking access to the device's web management interface from untrusted networks and ensure that default credentials are changed immediately upon device deployment. The flaw serves as a reminder that even seemingly simple embedded devices can serve as critical attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented during the development lifecycle.