CVE-2017-2845 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 the SMTP configuration tests resulting in command execution
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2845 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Foscam C1 Indoor HD Camera's web management interface. This issue affects devices running firmware version 2.52.2.37 and stems from inadequate input validation during SMTP configuration testing procedures. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands through carefully crafted HTTP requests that manipulate the camera's configuration interface. The vulnerability specifically targets the email server testing functionality where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates as a classic command injection attack vector where the application fails to properly validate or escape user input before using it in shell command execution contexts. The flaw manifests when the camera's web interface processes SMTP test configurations, allowing attackers to inject malicious shell commands that get executed with the privileges of the web server process. This represents a CWE-77 command injection vulnerability classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in commands. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability exists in a network-accessible web interface that is commonly exposed to untrusted networks, making it susceptible to exploitation by remote attackers without requiring physical access to the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected camera device. Successful exploitation enables remote code execution, allowing threat actors to install malware, exfiltrate data, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for further network reconnaissance. The camera's role as a surveillance device creates additional security implications, as attackers could potentially disable security features, modify video feeds, or capture sensitive visual information. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically shell scripting, and represents a significant risk to IoT security posture. The device's exposed web management interface creates a persistent attack vector that remains active until firmware updates are applied, potentially allowing attackers to maintain long-term access to surveillance networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate firmware updates from Foscam, as the company has released patches addressing this specific command injection flaw. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks, including firewall rules that restrict access to the camera's web management interface. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary services, implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of IoT device configurations. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify command injection attempts and establish baseline configurations that minimize attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly those managing network-connected devices, and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of embedded systems before deployment in production environments.