CVE-2017-5675 in Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
A command-injection vulnerability exists in a web application on a custom-built GoAhead web server used on Foscam, Vstarcam, and multiple white-label IP camera models. The mail-sending form in the mail.htm page allows an attacker to inject a command into the receiver1 field in the form; it will be executed with root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5675 represents a critical command injection flaw within the GoAhead web server implementation used by several IP camera manufacturers including Foscam and Vstarcam. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the web application's mail-sending functionality, specifically in the mail.htm page where user-controllable data is directly incorporated into system commands without proper escaping or filtering mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects multiple white-label camera models, indicating a widespread exposure across the security landscape of network video surveillance equipment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the receiver1 field in the mail-sending form, where an attacker can inject malicious commands that will be executed with the highest privilege level available to the web server process. This privilege escalation to root level execution represents a severe security flaw that allows attackers to gain complete control over the affected devices. The underlying flaw stems from improper handling of user input within the web server's command execution pipeline, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize data submitted through the web interface before incorporating it into system calls. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-77, which specifically addresses command injection vulnerabilities in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect entire surveillance networks. Once an attacker successfully exploits this command injection flaw, they can execute arbitrary commands on the affected IP cameras, potentially leading to unauthorized access to video feeds, modification of system configurations, data exfiltration, or even the use of compromised devices as part of botnet operations. The root privilege execution capability means that attackers can modify system files, install backdoors, or disable security features, fundamentally undermining the security posture of the surveillance infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter for execution, and T1068, which addresses exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5675 require immediate action from affected organizations to patch the vulnerable GoAhead web server implementation and ensure proper input validation is implemented throughout the web application. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the affected devices, particularly limiting web interface access to trusted administrative networks only. Regular security audits and penetration testing of networked devices should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the surveillance infrastructure. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and security patches for embedded systems, as this issue was resolved through vendor updates that properly validated and sanitized user input before command execution. Organizations should also implement network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts against similar vulnerabilities.