CVE-2017-7253 in IP Camera
Summary
by MITRE
Dahua IP Camera devices 3.200.0001.6 can be exploited via these steps: 1. Use the default low-privilege credentials to list all users via a request to a certain URI. 2. Login to the IP camera with admin credentials so as to obtain full control of the target IP camera. During exploitation, the first JSON object encountered has a "Component error: login challenge!" message. The second JSON object encountered has a result indicating a successful admin login.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7253 affects Dahua IP Camera devices running firmware version 3.200.0001.6, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security posture of network video surveillance systems. This vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the device's authentication framework, allowing attackers to escalate privileges from default low-privilege user accounts to administrative control. The flaw manifests through a specific sequence of exploitation steps that leverage the device's user enumeration capabilities and subsequent credential reuse mechanisms. The attack vector involves initial reconnaissance using default credentials to enumerate existing user accounts, followed by administrative login attempts that succeed despite the initial authentication challenges, ultimately granting full system control to unauthorized parties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exposes fundamental weaknesses in the device's authentication protocol handling, particularly around the login challenge mechanism and session management. When the attacker first attempts to list users, the system responds with a "Component error: login challenge!" message that indicates the authentication subsystem is actively engaged but not properly validating access levels. This error response provides attackers with confirmation that the enumeration process is working and that the system is capable of user account discovery. The subsequent successful administrative login, evidenced by the second JSON object showing a successful result, demonstrates that the authentication flow contains a critical logic flaw where administrative privileges are granted without proper verification of the initial authentication state. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks and improper privilege escalation handling, aligning with CWE-285 for improper authorization and CWE-305 for authentication bypass through multiple attempts.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7253 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the affected IP camera systems. This level of access enables comprehensive surveillance system compromise, allowing malicious actors to modify camera settings, access live and recorded video feeds, manipulate system configurations, and potentially use the compromised devices as entry points for broader network infiltration. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require specialized tools or advanced technical knowledge, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by threat actors with minimal expertise. Network security monitoring systems may not immediately detect this attack pattern since it follows legitimate authentication sequences, potentially allowing prolonged unauthorized access without detection. The compromised devices could serve as persistent backdoors for advanced persistent threat campaigns, particularly in environments where surveillance systems are considered trusted network components.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including firmware updates from Dahua to address the authentication bypass vulnerability, followed by comprehensive network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical infrastructure. Access control measures must be strengthened through mandatory credential changes for all default accounts, implementation of multi-factor authentication where possible, and regular security audits of surveillance system configurations. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous authentication patterns and unauthorized user enumeration activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure configuration management and proper credential lifecycle management, as outlined in NIST cybersecurity frameworks and aligned with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities in other networked devices and systems, particularly those implementing similar authentication protocols that may be susceptible to the same class of flaws.