CVE-2018-14770 in XXXXXX-VVTK-xx06a
Summary
by MITRE
VIVOTEK FD8177 devices before XXXXXX-VVTK-xx06a allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code (issue 1 of 2) via the ONVIF interface, (/onvif/device_service).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14770 affects VIVOTEK FD8177 security cameras and video surveillance devices running firmware versions prior to XXXXXX-VVTK-xx06a. This critical security flaw resides within the ONVIF interface implementation, specifically at the /onvif/device_service endpoint, which serves as the primary communication channel for device management and configuration. The ONVIF protocol is widely adopted in the security industry for interoperability between different camera and recording device manufacturers, making this vulnerability particularly concerning as it could potentially impact numerous installations across various organizations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a remote code execution flaw that allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected devices without requiring authentication. This represents a severe security weakness classified under CWE-74 as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. The flaw likely stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the ONVIF service implementation, where user-supplied data from the device_service endpoint is not properly filtered before being processed by the underlying system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain full control over the affected surveillance devices, potentially leading to complete compromise of the network infrastructure that these devices are connected to.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple device compromise, as it enables attackers to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive video data, manipulate camera settings, and potentially use the compromised devices as launching points for further attacks within the network. Organizations relying on VIVOTEK FD8177 devices for security monitoring face significant risks including unauthorized surveillance, data breaches, and potential disruption of critical security operations. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target these devices from anywhere on the internet, making the attack surface extremely broad and difficult to defend against through traditional network segmentation approaches. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in NIST SP 800-53 controls including SI-2 (Security Testing) and SI-3 (Security Assessment) which emphasize the need for proper input validation and secure coding practices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from VIVOTEK to address the specific code execution flaw in the ONVIF interface implementation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate security camera networks from critical business systems, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious ONVIF traffic patterns, and consider disabling ONVIF services if they are not actively required. Network administrators should conduct thorough inventory checks to identify all affected devices and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing of updated firmware to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing security infrastructure. Additionally, organizations should review their overall security posture and implement principle of least privilege access controls for all network services, particularly those related to security device management interfaces. This vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs as recommended by ISO 27001 and other security frameworks that emphasize continuous monitoring and improvement of information security controls.