CVE-2017-9964 in Pelco VideoXpert Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
A Path Traversal issue was discovered in Schneider Electric Pelco VideoXpert Enterprise all versions prior to 2.1. By sniffing communications, an unauthorized person can execute a directory traversal attack resulting in authentication bypass or session hijack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9964 represents a critical path traversal flaw within Schneider Electric Pelco VideoXpert Enterprise software versions prior to 2.1. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing file system requests. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the software's handling of file paths during authentication and session management operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that manipulate file path parameters to access restricted directories and files beyond the intended scope of the application. The flaw manifests when the system processes user input without sufficient validation, allowing attackers to traverse directory structures and potentially access sensitive system resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic path traversal attack pattern where an unauthorized actor intercepts network communications between client and server components. Through packet sniffing techniques, attackers can capture authentication requests and manipulate the path parameters to navigate to sensitive directories containing authentication files, session tokens, or configuration data. The attack vector leverages the absence of proper input sanitization and path validation controls within the VideoXpert Enterprise application. This allows malicious actors to construct specially crafted requests that bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized access to the system's authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects the session management and authentication components of the software, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise video surveillance systems where unauthorized access could compromise entire security infrastructures.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9964 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential complete system compromise and data exfiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can achieve authentication bypass, effectively gaining administrative privileges without legitimate credentials. This enables the attacker to manipulate surveillance footage, modify system configurations, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the network. Session hijacking capabilities allow attackers to impersonate legitimate users and maintain prolonged access to the system. The vulnerability affects enterprise video surveillance environments where the software is deployed, potentially exposing sensitive video feeds and compromising the integrity of security monitoring operations. Organizations using affected versions face risks of unauthorized surveillance access, data breaches, and potential physical security compromise through the manipulation of video recording systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of software updates to version 2.1 or later, which contain the necessary patches addressing the path traversal flaw. Network administrators should implement proper input validation controls and sanitize all user-supplied data before processing file system requests. The deployment of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and prevent malicious path traversal attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough network monitoring to identify and block suspicious traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security configurations should include disabling unnecessary file access permissions and implementing principle of least privilege controls for system accounts. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the network infrastructure and ensure proper patch management processes are in place to prevent future exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and follows ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation through network-based attacks.