CVE-2017-8405 in DCS-1100
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on D-Link DCS-1130 and DCS-1100 devices. The binary rtspd in /sbin folder of the device handles all the rtsp connections received by the device. It seems that the binary loads at address 0x00012CF4 a flag called "Authenticate" that indicates whether a user should be authenticated or not before allowing access to the video feed. By default, the value for this flag is zero and can be set/unset using the HTTP interface and network settings tab as shown below. The device requires that a user logging to the HTTP management interface of the device to provide a valid username and password. However, the device does not enforce the same restriction by default on RTSP URL due to the checkbox unchecked by default, thereby allowing any attacker in possession of external IP address of the camera to view the live video feed. The severity of this attack is enlarged by the fact that there more than 100,000 D-Link devices out there.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-8405 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw affecting D-Link DCS-1130 and DCS-1100 IP camera models. This issue stems from improper access control implementation within the rtspd binary responsible for handling RTSP connections in the device's /sbin directory. The technical flaw manifests through a hardcoded flag named "Authenticate" which is loaded at memory address 0x00012CF4 and defaults to a zero value, indicating that authentication is disabled for RTSP connections. This design decision creates a significant security gap where the device enforces authentication requirements for HTTP management interface access but fails to apply the same security controls to RTSP streaming protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual device compromise to affect a substantial user base of over 100,000 D-Link devices globally. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to live video feeds simply by knowing the external IP address of the targeted camera, eliminating the need for valid credentials or network reconnaissance. This represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege and violates security standards such as those outlined in CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms. The vulnerability enables passive surveillance capabilities for malicious actors without requiring authentication, effectively creating an open viewing window for any internet-connected D-Link camera that has not had the authentication flag properly configured.
The attack vector leverages the device's HTTP management interface where users can modify network settings, including the authentication checkbox that controls RTSP access. This configuration option being unchecked by default creates a dangerous security baseline that leaves devices vulnerable to remote exploitation. The threat landscape is further amplified by the widespread deployment of these devices in both commercial and residential environments, where the lack of authentication enforcement could lead to privacy violations, corporate espionage, or criminal surveillance activities. Organizations implementing these devices may unknowingly create security exposures that persist for extended periods, as the default configuration fails to meet minimum security requirements for networked video surveillance systems.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate configuration changes to enable authentication for RTSP connections, along with network-level restrictions such as firewall rules limiting RTSP traffic to trusted IP addresses. Security teams should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected devices and implement mandatory configuration policies. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure default configurations and proper input validation, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and initial access through network services. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and regular security audits to prevent similar issues in other networked devices, particularly those implementing similar authentication mechanisms for streaming protocols.