CVE-2017-2831 in C1 Indoor HD Camera
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable buffer overflow 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 cause a buffer overflow resulting in overwriting arbitrary data. An attacker can simply send an HTTP request to the device to trigger this vulnerability.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2022
The CVE-2017-2831 vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in the web management interface of Foscam C1 Indoor HD Camera devices running firmware version 2.52.2.37. This vulnerability resides within the device's HTTP request handling mechanism, specifically targeting the web interface that administrators use to configure and manage camera settings. The flaw manifests when the device processes specially crafted HTTP requests that exceed the allocated buffer space, creating conditions where arbitrary data can be overwritten in memory. The vulnerability's exploitable nature stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the firmware's web server implementation, allowing remote attackers to manipulate memory contents through network-based attacks.
This buffer overflow vulnerability operates at the application layer and presents a significant security risk due to its remote exploitability and potential for arbitrary code execution. The technical flaw falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable complete system compromise, as attackers can overwrite critical program variables, return addresses, or function pointers. The Foscam C1 camera's web interface lacks proper sanitization of user-supplied HTTP parameters, making it susceptible to malicious input that can manipulate the execution flow of the embedded web server application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability creates substantial risk for users who expose their Foscam devices to untrusted networks or fail to properly secure their network infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to the device's management interface, potentially leading to complete compromise of the camera's functionality. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1210, which involves exploiting weaknesses in remote services to gain system access. Network-based attacks can be executed without requiring physical access to the device, making it particularly concerning for IoT deployments where devices may be located in sensitive environments or connected to corporate networks. The attack surface expands when considering that many users may not regularly update their camera firmware, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates from Foscam to address the buffer overflow vulnerability, while network administrators should implement strict access controls and network segmentation to limit exposure of these devices. The implementation of network access control lists and firewall rules can restrict access to the camera's web management interface to trusted IP addresses only. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling unnecessary services and ports on the device, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other IoT devices within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in embedded systems, particularly in IoT devices where security updates may be infrequent or unavailable, making proactive network security measures essential for protecting against such exploits.