CVE-2018-1149 in NVRMini2
Summary
by MITRE
cgi_system in NUUO's NVRMini2 3.8.0 and below allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted HTTP requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1149 resides within NUUO's NVRMini2 network video recorder firmware version 3.8.0 and earlier releases. This critical security flaw exists in the cgi_system component which handles HTTP request processing for the device's web interface. The vulnerability represents a classic command injection vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system without requiring authentication or prior access to the device. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the web application's request handling mechanism, specifically when processing HTTP parameters sent to the cgi_system module.
This vulnerability operates at the application layer and exploits improper handling of user-supplied input through HTTP requests. The cgi_system function fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters before using them in system command execution contexts. Attackers can craft malicious HTTP requests containing specially formatted payloads that get directly executed by the underlying operating system. This creates a direct pathway for remote code execution where malicious actors can leverage the vulnerability to gain full control over the NVRMini2 device. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it allows exploitation from any network location without requiring physical access or valid credentials, making it highly attractive to threat actors seeking unauthorized system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-1149 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Once exploited, attackers can install backdoors, modify system configurations, access stored video footage, manipulate device settings, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other networked systems. The vulnerability affects devices running firmware versions 3.8.0 and below, representing a significant security gap that could allow attackers to gain persistent access to surveillance infrastructure. This poses serious implications for organizations relying on NUUO NVRMini2 devices for security monitoring, as the compromise could result in complete loss of surveillance capabilities and potential data exfiltration. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories from the Common Weakness Enumeration, specifically addressing command injection flaws where user-supplied data is improperly integrated into system commands.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-1149 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from NUUO to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Organizations must implement network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical network segments and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns. Network access control measures should be implemented to restrict HTTP access to only trusted administrative networks. Additionally, security monitoring should include regular vulnerability scanning of networked devices to identify unpatched systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1071.004 for application layer protocols, indicating that exploitation would involve command execution and network protocol abuse respectively. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious HTTP requests before they reach the vulnerable cgi_system component, though this represents a temporary workaround rather than a permanent solution. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other components of the network infrastructure, particularly within embedded systems and IoT devices that may share similar architectural patterns.