CVE-2018-17240 in IP Camera
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2022
There is a memory dump vulnerability on Netwave IP camera devices at //proc/kcore that allows an unauthenticated attacker to exfiltrate sensitive information from the network configuration (e.g., username and password).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17240 represents a critical information disclosure flaw in Netwave IP camera devices that stems from improper access controls within the device's kernel interface. This vulnerability specifically affects the /proc/kcore virtual file system endpoint which provides access to the kernel's memory space. The flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to directly read sensitive configuration data from the device's memory, including administrative credentials and network settings. The /proc/kcore interface is typically restricted to authorized system processes and should not be accessible to external network entities without proper authentication. This represents a fundamental failure in the device's security architecture where kernel-level memory access is not properly protected against unauthorized network access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper authentication checks on the /proc/kcore endpoint, which is part of the Linux kernel's proc filesystem. When an attacker accesses this endpoint, they can directly read the kernel's virtual memory space, which contains sensitive information including stored credentials, network configuration parameters, and potentially other system data. The vulnerability exists because the device's web server or network service fails to implement proper access controls or authentication mechanisms before allowing access to kernel memory interfaces. This type of flaw falls under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control issues, and it demonstrates how kernel-level interfaces can become attack vectors when not properly secured. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where sensitive data is often stored in plaintext or with minimal encryption.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on Netwave IP cameras for security monitoring. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain immediate access to administrative credentials, allowing them to fully compromise the device and potentially use it as a pivot point to access the broader network. The stolen credentials can be used to modify camera settings, disable security features, or redirect traffic to malicious endpoints. Network configuration data obtained through this method can reveal network topology information, subnet ranges, and other sensitive infrastructure details that could aid in subsequent attacks. The vulnerability also represents a persistent threat as it remains exploitable regardless of network segmentation or firewall configurations, since it operates at the device level rather than requiring exploitation of network-level protocols. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 which covers discovering file and directory permissions, and T1005 which addresses data from local system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17240 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should immediately apply vendor-provided firmware updates that address the improper access control issue, ensuring that the /proc/kcore interface is properly secured against unauthorized access. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit direct access to IP camera devices, and firewalls should be configured to block access to the specific ports used by the camera's web interface. Additionally, organizations should implement network monitoring to detect unusual access patterns to kernel interfaces and establish regular security audits of networked devices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure default configurations and proper privilege separation in embedded systems, as outlined in the OWASP IoT Security Top 10. Device administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary services and interfaces, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and regularly reviewing access controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.