CVE-2017-2833 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 resulting in command injection during the boot process. To trigger this vulnerability, an attacker needs to send an HTTP request and reboot the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2023
The CVE-2017-2833 vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw in Foscam C1 Indoor HD Camera firmware version 2.52.2.37, exposing a significant security weakness in IoT device management interfaces. This vulnerability resides within the web management interface that administrators use to configure and control the camera's operational parameters. The flaw manifests during the device boot process when the system processes HTTP requests containing malicious shell commands, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond sending a crafted HTTP request and rebooting the device, making it particularly dangerous for unattended surveillance equipment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the camera's web interface processing logic. When the device receives specially crafted HTTP requests containing shell metacharacters, the system fails to properly escape or filter these inputs before executing them during the boot sequence. This lack of proper input sanitization creates a direct path for command injection attacks, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands with the privileges of the web interface process. The vulnerability is classified as a command injection flaw under CWE-77, which specifically addresses situations where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into shell commands without proper validation or escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete device compromise and potential network infiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain root-level access to the camera's operating system, enabling them to modify firmware, install backdoors, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other networked systems. The requirement for only a reboot to trigger the exploit means that even passive attackers can potentially compromise devices left unattended, particularly in environments where cameras are deployed in locations with minimal physical security. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically shell scripting, and T1078 for valid accounts, as the attacker can potentially establish persistent access through compromised device credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2833 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Foscam, as the vendor likely released patches addressing the input validation gaps in subsequent releases. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the camera's web management interface, limiting exposure to only authorized administrative networks. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary services, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and conducting regular security audits of IoT device configurations. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems and demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation flaws can create significant security risks in IoT deployments, particularly in surveillance and security applications where device compromise can have far-reaching consequences.