CVE-2018-11653 in IP Camera
Summary
by MITRE
Information disclosure in Netwave IP camera at //etc/RT2870STA.dat (via HTTP on port 8000) allows an unauthenticated attacker to exfiltrate sensitive information about the network configuration like the network SSID and password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11653 represents a critical information disclosure flaw in Netwave IP camera devices that exposes sensitive network configuration data through an improperly secured HTTP endpoint. This vulnerability specifically affects the //etc/RT2870STA.dat file which contains wireless network credentials and configuration parameters, making it a significant security concern for organizations relying on these devices for surveillance and network monitoring. The flaw exists within the web interface of the camera system that operates on port 8000, allowing unauthenticated remote access to critical network information without requiring any credentials or authentication mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the camera's web server configuration that fails to properly restrict access to sensitive configuration files stored in the /etc/ directory. The RT2870STA.dat file contains the wireless network SSID and password in plain text format, which are typically used by the camera to connect to wireless networks. This misconfiguration allows any remote attacker to access this file through a simple HTTP GET request to the specific endpoint, bypassing all authentication mechanisms and security controls that should normally protect such sensitive data. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 as "Information Exposure" and represents a failure in access control mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the credentials necessary to gain unauthorized access to the wireless network to which the camera is configured to connect. This creates a potential attack vector for lateral movement within the network, as attackers can use the stolen SSID and password to access other network resources that may be protected by the same wireless network infrastructure. The exposure of network credentials in plain text format significantly weakens the overall network security posture and can lead to more severe consequences including full network compromise. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 "Network Service Scanning' and T1566 'Phishing for Information' as it enables attackers to gather intelligence about network configurations and credentials through automated scanning and exploitation techniques.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical network segments, disabling unnecessary HTTP services on port 8000, and applying firmware updates from the vendor if available. The recommended approach involves configuring network access control lists to restrict access to port 8000 to only authorized management systems and implementing proper authentication mechanisms for all web interfaces. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns to these endpoints, and all wireless network credentials should be rotated immediately if the vulnerability is confirmed to be present in the environment. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in embedded systems and web applications, as highlighted in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 security requirements for information security controls.