CVE-2017-2828 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-2017-2828 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 in the account creation functionality where user input is improperly sanitized, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary shell commands on the device. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding that allows attackers to inject shell metacharacters directly into the system's command execution pipeline. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the device's web management interface, which typically requires authentication, yet the command injection occurs during account creation, potentially allowing unauthenticated attackers to exploit the system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted HTTP requests that manipulate the account creation process. When a user attempts to create an account, the device fails to properly validate or sanitize the input parameters, particularly those related to username or other account attributes. This improper input handling allows attackers to inject shell commands that get executed by the device's underlying operating system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77, which describes command injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into shell commands without proper sanitization. The attack vector is straightforward as it requires only a simple HTTP request to the device, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise. The device's web interface processes these malicious inputs without adequate protection mechanisms, leading to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2828 extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with full control over the affected camera device. Once exploited, attackers can gain persistent access to the device, potentially using it as a foothold for further network reconnaissance or as a pivot point for attacking other connected systems. The vulnerability affects the device's core security mechanisms, as it allows attackers to execute commands with the privileges of the web server process, which typically has significant access to the device's file system and network capabilities. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in IoT environments where devices often lack proper security monitoring and may be deployed in sensitive locations. The impact also includes potential data exfiltration, device compromise for botnet recruitment, and denial of service conditions that can disrupt legitimate camera operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2828 should focus on immediate firmware updates from Foscam to address the underlying command injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate IoT devices from critical network segments and deploy network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and output encoding practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection. Security controls should include disabling unnecessary web management interfaces, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and regularly auditing device configurations. Network administrators should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious HTTP requests targeting known vulnerabilities in IoT devices. The incident highlights the critical need for robust security practices in IoT device management, particularly regarding input validation and privilege separation, as outlined in industry best practices for embedded system security.