CVE-2018-13111 in HW0021
Summary
by MITRE
There exists a partial Denial of Service vulnerability in Wanscam HW0021 IP Cameras. An attacker could craft a malicious POST request to crash the ONVIF service on such a device.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13111 represents a significant security weakness in Wanscam HW0021 IP cameras that manifests as a partial denial of service condition. This flaw specifically targets the ONVIF service component of the device, which is responsible for enabling interoperability between different security products through standardized communication protocols. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the camera's web server implementation, where the device fails to properly sanitize or validate incoming HTTP POST requests directed toward the ONVIF service endpoints. This weakness allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to exploit the device's processing logic by sending malformed or specially crafted requests that trigger unexpected behavior in the service handling mechanism.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP POST requests that are processed by the ONVIF service running on port 80 or 8080 of the affected camera. When the device receives a maliciously constructed request, the insufficient input validation causes the ONVIF service to enter an unstable state where it either crashes completely or becomes unresponsive to further legitimate requests. The vulnerability is classified as a partial denial of service because while the ONVIF service becomes unavailable, other camera functions may remain operational, though the primary security functionality is compromised. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and may also relate to CWE-770, concerning allocation of resources without limits or throttling.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-13111 extends beyond simple service disruption as it directly affects the security posture of surveillance systems that rely on ONVIF-compliant devices. When the ONVIF service crashes, legitimate users lose access to critical camera management functions including device configuration, user authentication, and event notification settings. Network administrators may find that they cannot remotely access or configure the affected cameras, potentially leaving surveillance coverage gaps during critical periods. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks as attackers might use the partial denial of service as a stepping stone to gain further access to the device or as part of a broader network compromise strategy. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service and could potentially enable T1566.001 for Initial Access through the exploitation of unpatched network devices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from Wanscam that address the input validation issues within the ONVIF service implementation. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks, particularly ensuring that only authorized management stations can communicate with the camera's ONVIF service ports. Additional protective measures include implementing intrusion detection systems that monitor for unusual POST request patterns targeting the affected service, as well as regular security audits to identify other potentially vulnerable devices on the network. Organizations should also consider disabling the ONVIF service entirely if it is not required for their specific use case, as this eliminates the attack surface associated with the vulnerable component. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and resource management in networked security devices, particularly those handling standardized protocols that are critical to enterprise security infrastructure.