CVE-2018-3813 in Brickstream 2300
Summary
by MITRE
getConfigExportFile.cgi on FLIR Brickstream 2300 devices 2.0 4.1.53.166 has Incorrect Access Control, as demonstrated by reading the AVI_USER_ID and AVI_USER_PASSWORD fields via a direct request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3813 affects FLIR Brickstream 2300 video surveillance devices running firmware versions 2.0 through 4.1.53.166. This issue resides in the getConfigExportFile.cgi component which serves as a configuration export utility for the device. The flaw represents a critical access control weakness that allows unauthorized users to extract sensitive authentication credentials from the system. The vulnerability specifically enables attackers to directly request and retrieve the AVI_USER_ID and AVI_USER_PASSWORD fields, which contain critical user authentication information. This misconfiguration occurs within the web application layer of the device, where proper authentication and authorization checks are either missing or inadequately implemented.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the getConfigExportFile.cgi script. When an attacker makes a direct HTTP request to this endpoint without proper authentication, the system fails to verify the requester's authorization level before exposing sensitive configuration data. This weakness falls under CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control vulnerabilities where systems fail to properly enforce access restrictions. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and privilege checking, allowing any remote attacker to bypass normal authentication procedures and obtain sensitive user credentials. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer, requiring minimal technical expertise to exploit and potentially providing attackers with full administrative access to the surveillance system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential theft, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of the entire surveillance infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains access to user credentials that can be used to authenticate to the device's web interface, potentially enabling complete system control including configuration changes, video stream manipulation, and access to stored footage. The exposure of AVI_USER_ID and AVI_USER_PASSWORD fields means that attackers can establish persistent access to the device without requiring additional credentials or exploiting other vulnerabilities. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a critical failure in the device's security architecture. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no prior authentication, making it easily exploitable by anyone who can reach the device's network interface.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. Organizations should immediately update their FLIR Brickstream 2300 devices to firmware versions that contain patches for this access control flaw. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate these devices from general network access, and firewall rules should restrict access to the device's web interface to trusted IP addresses only. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns to the getConfigExportFile.cgi endpoint. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all networked surveillance equipment to identify similar access control weaknesses. The implementation of strong authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication where possible, should be enforced for all administrative access points. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege, regular security audits, and maintaining up-to-date firmware across all networked devices. Organizations should consider implementing network access control policies that align with NIST SP 800-53 security controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other networked systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access techniques, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures against such attacks.