CVE-2018-12258 in Axel 720P
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Momentum Axel 720P 5.1.8 devices. Custom Firmware Upgrade is possible via an SD Card. With physical access, an attacker can upgrade the firmware in under 60 seconds by inserting an SD card containing the firmware with name 'ezviz.dav' and rebooting.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12258 affects Momentum Axel 720P 5.1.8 security devices, representing a critical firmware security flaw that undermines the device's integrity and operational security. This issue stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms and lack of proper firmware verification processes during the upgrade procedure, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized firmware modifications through simple physical access. The device's firmware update process is designed to accept custom firmware images without proper validation, making it susceptible to malicious firmware injection attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the device's firmware upgrade mechanism by leveraging a specific naming convention for the firmware file. Attackers can simply create an SD card containing a malicious firmware image named 'ezviz.dav' and insert it into the device's SD card slot. This file naming convention appears to be recognized by the device's boot process as a legitimate firmware update file, bypassing normal security checks. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of secure boot principles and firmware integrity verification, where the device accepts firmware updates without proper cryptographic signatures or authentication mechanisms. This flaw falls under the category of insecure firmware update mechanisms and represents a failure in the device's integrity verification processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and immediate, as it allows an attacker with physical access to compromise the device within 60 seconds of inserting the malicious SD card. This timeframe represents a significant security risk since it requires minimal technical expertise and only physical access to the device. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be executed by anyone who gains physical access to the device, including unauthorized personnel or malicious insiders. The compromised device can then be used to conduct further attacks, including data exfiltration, network reconnaissance, or as a pivot point for lateral movement within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly impacts the device's security posture and can lead to complete compromise of the surveillance system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper firmware authentication and integrity verification mechanisms. Device manufacturers should enforce secure boot processes that validate firmware signatures before installation and implement proper access controls for firmware update procedures. Network administrators should ensure physical security measures are in place to prevent unauthorized access to devices, including secure device placement and access controls. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following industry standards such as those defined in CWE-284 for improper access control and CWE-311 for missing encryption of sensitive data. Organizations should also consider implementing firmware integrity monitoring solutions and regular security assessments to detect unauthorized firmware modifications. Additionally, the ATT&CK framework's T1005 (Data from Local System) and T1014 (Rootkit) techniques may be relevant to understanding potential attack paths following successful firmware compromise, as the attacker could leverage the modified firmware to maintain persistence and access sensitive system data.