CVE-2018-15716 in NVRMini2
Summary
by MITRE
NUUO NVRMini2 version 3.10.0 and earlier is vulnerable to authenticated remote command injection. An attacker can send crafted requests to upgrade_handle.php to execute OS commands as root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15716 affects NUUO NVRMini2 devices running firmware version 3.10.0 or earlier, representing a critical security flaw that allows authenticated remote command injection. This issue stems from improper input validation within the upgrade_handle.php script, which processes upgrade-related requests without adequately sanitizing user-supplied data. The vulnerability exists at the application layer and specifically targets the device's firmware update mechanism, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary operating system commands with root privileges. Attackers must first authenticate to the system to exploit this vulnerability, which means they need valid credentials or must obtain them through other means such as credential stuffing or phishing attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the upgrade_handle.php endpoint, where user input is directly incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization or validation. This type of flaw falls under CWE-77, which specifically addresses command injection vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to privilege escalation and complete system compromise. The attacker can craft specially formatted requests that include malicious command sequences, which are then executed by the underlying operating system with the highest privileges available. This means that successful exploitation would grant the attacker complete control over the device, including access to all stored video footage, network configurations, and potentially the ability to use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with root-level privileges to manipulate the device in numerous ways. An attacker could modify or delete stored video recordings, alter system configurations, install backdoors, or even use the device to launch attacks against other networked systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects network video recorder devices that are commonly used in security environments where they store sensitive surveillance data. The compromise of such devices could lead to complete loss of security monitoring capabilities and potential exposure of confidential information. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking persistent access and control over security infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-15716 should focus on immediate firmware updates from NUUO to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Organizations should ensure that all affected devices are updated to versions that properly sanitize input parameters in the upgrade_handle.php script. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to these devices, restricting the attack surface and preventing lateral movement if a device is compromised. Additionally, implementing strong authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication and regular credential rotation can help prevent unauthorized access. Monitoring network traffic for suspicious requests to upgrade_handle.php endpoints can provide early detection of exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other networked devices and systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in web applications and highlights the critical need for secure coding practices, particularly when dealing with system-level operations that could be exploited for privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and firewall rules to restrict access to administrative interfaces and upgrade endpoints to only trusted network segments.