CVE-2018-10328 in Axel 720P
Summary
by MITRE
Momentum Axel 720P 5.1.8 devices have a hardcoded password of streaming for the appagent account, which allows remote attackers to view the RTSP video stream.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10328 affects Momentum Axel 720P 5.1.8 video surveillance devices where the application agent account utilizes a hardcoded password of streaming. This represents a critical security flaw that directly compromises the device's authentication mechanism and exposes sensitive video streaming data to unauthorized access. The presence of hardcoded credentials in networked security devices constitutes a fundamental failure in secure configuration practices and creates an immediate risk for organizations relying on these surveillance systems for physical security monitoring.
This vulnerability stems from poor software development practices where developers embedded default authentication credentials directly into the device firmware without proper mechanisms for credential management or user-defined authentication. The hardcoded password creates a persistent backdoor that remains accessible regardless of system updates or administrative password changes. The RTSP video stream exposure represents a particularly dangerous consequence as it allows attackers to access real-time video feeds from surveillance cameras without any authentication barriers. This flaw aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded credentials in software, and represents a direct violation of secure coding principles that require dynamic credential management and proper access control implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized video access to encompass broader security implications for organizations using these devices. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness from any network location to capture and potentially store video streams, leading to privacy violations, security breaches, and potential corporate espionage. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of surveillance data, undermining the fundamental purpose of security monitoring systems. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues if sensitive footage is accessed without authorization, particularly in environments subject to privacy laws and security standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework or ISO/IEC 27001 requirements for information security management.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from affected organizations to implement comprehensive security measures. The primary recommendation involves changing the default credentials on all affected devices, though in this case the hardcoded nature of the password means that a firmware update or device replacement may be necessary to fully resolve the issue. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks, while continuous monitoring of network traffic can help detect unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control lists and firewall rules to restrict access to RTSP ports and services. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar hardcoded credential issues in other networked devices and systems. The remediation process must include firmware updates from the vendor when available and comprehensive inventory management to ensure all affected devices are identified and secured according to industry best practices for network security and device management.