CVE-2018-19064 in Foscam
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Foscam C2 devices with System Firmware 1.11.1.8 and Application Firmware 2.72.1.32, and Opticam i5 devices with System Firmware 1.5.2.11 and Application Firmware 2.21.1.128. The ftpuser1 account has a blank password, which cannot be changed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19064 affects embedded network security devices manufactured by foscam and opticam, specifically targeting their camera models with weak authentication mechanisms. This issue represents a critical authentication flaw that undermines the fundamental security posture of these devices, which are commonly deployed in residential and commercial surveillance environments where unauthorized access could lead to significant privacy and security breaches. The affected firmware versions indicate that this weakness has persisted across multiple device generations, suggesting a systemic design flaw rather than an isolated incident. These cameras are widely used for home and business monitoring, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to exploit weak authentication credentials.
The technical flaw manifests through the hardcoded blank password assigned to the ftpuser1 account on affected devices, creating a persistent backdoor that remains unchangeable through normal administrative procedures. This configuration violates fundamental security principles outlined in the owasp top ten and cwe-259 weakness categories, specifically addressing the improper handling of credentials and the creation of default accounts with weak authentication mechanisms. The inability to modify this password means that any attacker who discovers the account name can immediately gain access to the device without requiring additional authentication factors or knowledge of legitimate credentials. This vulnerability directly maps to attack technique t1078.001 within the mitre att&ck framework, which covers legitimate credentials gained through default accounts, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected surveillance devices. Once compromised, attackers can manipulate camera settings, access live video feeds, capture still images, and potentially use the devices as entry points for broader network infiltration. The ftpuser1 account typically provides access to file transfer protocol services, which means attackers could potentially upload malicious firmware, exfiltrate stored video footage, or use the devices as command and control nodes for larger attacks. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where these devices are deployed without proper network segmentation, creating opportunities for lateral movement within corporate networks or home networks where such devices may be connected to critical systems.
Organizations and individuals should immediately implement mitigation strategies including network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical systems, disabling unnecessary services such as ftp access, and conducting comprehensive inventory audits to identify all affected devices. The most effective immediate remediation involves physically securing the devices or implementing network-level controls to prevent access from unauthorized sources. Device manufacturers should be contacted to determine if firmware updates are available, though in many cases these devices may be end-of-life and no longer supported. Security professionals should monitor for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify attempts to access default accounts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper device lifecycle management and the critical need for manufacturers to implement secure default configurations that cannot be easily bypassed through simple credential guessing or default account exploitation techniques.