CVE-2018-15745 in Surveillance DVR
Summary
by MITRE
Argus Surveillance DVR 4.0.0.0 devices allow Unauthenticated Directory Traversal, leading to File Disclosure via a ..%2F in the WEBACCOUNT.CGI RESULTPAGE parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15745 affects Argus Surveillance DVR 4.0.0.0 devices and represents a critical directory traversal flaw that enables unauthenticated remote attackers to access sensitive files on the affected system. This vulnerability resides within the web interface of the surveillance device and specifically targets the WEBACCOUNT.CGI component where the RESULTPAGE parameter is processed without adequate input validation. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input, allowing attackers to manipulate the parameter value by incorporating encoded directory traversal sequences such as ..%2F which translates to ../ in the URL. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the WEBACCOUNT.CGI script's RESULTPAGE parameter, where an attacker can craft malicious requests that bypass normal file access controls. When the system processes these crafted requests, it interprets the directory traversal sequences and allows access to files outside the intended web root directory. This can potentially expose sensitive system information, configuration files, user credentials, or other confidential data stored on the DVR device. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that no authentication is required to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by any remote attacker without prior access credentials. The attack vector operates over HTTP protocols and can be executed through standard web browser requests or automated exploitation tools.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can lead to complete system compromise if attackers can access critical system files or configuration data. Surveillance DVR systems often contain sensitive operational data including user accounts, access logs, system configurations, and potentially video recordings that could be used for malicious purposes. The exposure of system files may enable attackers to gain insights into the device's internal structure, potentially facilitating further exploitation attempts or helping to identify other vulnerabilities within the system. Additionally, the disclosure of configuration files could reveal network settings, system passwords, or other sensitive information that could be used to escalate privileges or gain deeper access to the network infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest firmware version provided by Argus Technologies, which likely contains patches addressing this directory traversal vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit exposure of surveillance systems to untrusted networks. Web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can be configured to detect and block requests containing directory traversal sequences such as ..%2F or similar patterns. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other networked devices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1071.004 for application layer protocol and T1566 for credential access, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the threat. System administrators should also implement monitoring of web access logs for suspicious requests containing directory traversal sequences and establish incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.