CVE-2017-9317 in IP Device
Summary
by MITRE
Privilege escalation vulnerability found in some Dahua IP devices. Attacker in possession of low privilege account can gain access to credential information of high privilege account and further obtain device information or attack the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2020
The CVE-2017-9317 vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation flaw discovered in Dahua IP security devices, specifically affecting various models of network video recorders and IP cameras. This vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the device's authentication and authorization framework, allowing attackers with minimal privileges to escalate their access rights significantly. The flaw exists in the device's web interface and administrative functions, where insufficient input validation and privilege checks enable unauthorized users to bypass normal security controls and gain elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a direct manipulation of authentication tokens and session management processes within the Dahua device's web server component. Attackers can exploit this weakness by leveraging a low-privilege account to access administrative functions through crafted HTTP requests or by manipulating the device's internal credential storage mechanisms. The vulnerability allows for credential extraction and subsequent unauthorized access to device configuration interfaces, system logs, and administrative functions that should only be accessible to authorized administrators. This flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer and requires minimal reconnaissance to identify the vulnerable device configurations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9317 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating a comprehensive attack surface that enables full device compromise. Once exploited, attackers can access sensitive information including user credentials, device configuration files, network settings, and system logs that contain potentially valuable data for further attacks. The vulnerability can be leveraged to install malicious firmware, redirect network traffic, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the same network segment. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors who may use the compromised device as a persistent foothold for extended network infiltration, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage.
Security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and CWE-306, relating to missing authentication for critical functions. The vulnerability demonstrates poor implementation of the principle of least privilege and inadequate session management controls, allowing attackers to escalate from guest or user level access to administrator level privileges. Organizations using Dahua devices are particularly at risk since these security flaws can remain undetected for extended periods, providing attackers with continuous access to network monitoring and control functions. The vulnerability also increases the risk of data exfiltration and can facilitate lateral movement attacks within enterprise networks where these devices are deployed, making it a significant concern for cybersecurity professionals managing physical security infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9317 should include immediate firmware updates from Dahua to address the identified privilege escalation flaws, along with network segmentation to limit device accessibility from untrusted networks. Security administrators should implement strict access controls, disable unnecessary services, and regularly audit device configurations to identify potential unauthorized access points. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing robust network monitoring to detect anomalous access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, consistent with NIST SP 800-40 guidelines for securing networked devices and preventing unauthorized privilege escalation attacks.