CVE-2018-17558 in TVIP10050
Summary
by MITRE • 10/27/2023
Hardcoded manufacturer credentials and an OS command injection vulnerability in the /cgi-bin/mft/ directory on ABUS TVIP TVIP20050 LM.1.6.18, TVIP10051 LM.1.6.18, TVIP11050 MG.1.6.03.05, TVIP20550 LM.1.6.18, TVIP10050 LM.1.6.18, TVIP11550 MG.1.6.03, TVIP21050 MG.1.6.03, and TVIP51550 MG.1.6.03 cameras allow remote attackers to execute code as root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2024
The CVE-2018-17558 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw affecting multiple ABUS TVIP series network cameras, specifically those running firmware versions LM.1.6.18, MG.1.6.03, and related iterations. This vulnerability stems from two primary security weaknesses that together create a severe attack surface allowing remote code execution with root privileges. The affected devices include models TVIP20050, TVIP10051, TVIP11050, TVIP20550, TVIP10050, TVIP11550, TVIP21050, and TVIP51550, all of which share the same vulnerable software architecture.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability begins with the presence of hardcoded manufacturer credentials within the /cgi-bin/mft/ directory of the affected cameras. This hardcoded authentication mechanism represents a fundamental security flaw classified under CWE-798, where sensitive information is embedded directly within the software source code or configuration files. These credentials are typically used for administrative access to the device's management interface, providing attackers with legitimate login credentials that bypass normal authentication mechanisms. The presence of such hardcoded values violates security best practices and creates a persistent backdoor that remains functional regardless of user password changes or system updates.
The second component of this vulnerability involves an operating system command injection flaw within the same directory structure. This command injection vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands on the affected devices with the highest level of privileges available, which in this case is root access. The combination of hardcoded credentials and command injection creates a complete attack chain where an attacker can first authenticate using the hardcoded credentials and then execute malicious commands that operate with root privileges. This dual vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it eliminates the need for additional exploitation techniques and provides immediate administrative control over the device.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-17558 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete device compromise and potential network infiltration. Attackers with access to these cameras can leverage the root privileges to modify device configurations, install persistent backdoors, capture video streams, or use the compromised devices as entry points for broader network attacks. The vulnerability affects devices deployed in security-critical environments including surveillance systems, industrial monitoring, and enterprise security infrastructures, where unauthorized access could result in significant privacy breaches, operational disruptions, or even physical security compromises. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit these vulnerabilities from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17558 should focus on immediate remediation efforts including firmware updates from ABUS, which are essential for addressing both the hardcoded credential issue and the command injection vulnerability. Organizations must also implement network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical network segments and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious authentication attempts or command execution patterns. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, highlighting the need for comprehensive monitoring of both authentication events and command execution activities on networked devices. Additionally, security professionals should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all affected devices within their networks and ensure that default credentials are changed or disabled across all networked equipment, particularly those with known hardcoded authentication mechanisms.