CVE-2017-2872 in C1 Indoor HD Camera
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient security checks exist in the recovery procedure used by the Foscam C1 Indoor HD Camera running application firmware 2.52.2.43. A HTTP request can allow for a user to perform a firmware upgrade using a crafted image. Before any firmware upgrades in this image are flashed to the device, binaries as well as arguments to shell commands contained in the image are executed with elevated privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2872 resides within the Foscam C1 Indoor HD Camera firmware version 2.52.2.43, representing a critical security flaw in the device's recovery mechanism. This weakness stems from inadequate validation procedures during the firmware update process, creating a pathway for unauthorized remote exploitation. The vulnerability specifically targets the recovery procedure that governs how firmware upgrades are handled, exposing the device to potential compromise through crafted HTTP requests that bypass normal security controls. The flaw allows an attacker to upload and execute malicious firmware images remotely without proper authentication or authorization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the camera's firmware update mechanism executing binaries and shell command arguments with elevated privileges before flashing the new firmware to the device. This privileged execution occurs during the recovery phase, where the system fails to properly validate the integrity and source of the firmware image being installed. The lack of proper input validation and privilege separation creates an environment where malicious code can be executed with administrative privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This behavior aligns with CWE-250, which addresses execution of code with elevated privileges, and represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to gain full administrative control over the affected camera devices. Once exploited, the attacker can modify the camera's firmware to include backdoors, disable security features, or establish persistent access to the network. The vulnerability affects not only individual devices but also poses risks to larger network infrastructures where multiple cameras may be connected. The implications include potential surveillance breaches, unauthorized data access, and the possibility of using compromised devices as entry points for further attacks within the network. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter for execution, and T1068, which addresses exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from Foscam to address the recovery procedure flaw, combined with network segmentation to limit exposure of affected devices. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect unusual firmware update activities and establish secure firmware update policies. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper privilege management in embedded systems and highlights the need for robust input validation in all device recovery mechanisms. Regular security assessments of networked devices, particularly those with web interfaces, are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities in other IoT devices that may present similar attack vectors through inadequate security checks during firmware update procedures.