CVE-2018-3937 in IPELA E Network Camera G5
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable command injection vulnerability exists in the measurementBitrateExec functionality of Sony IPELA E Series Network Camera G5 firmware 1.87.00. A specially crafted GET request can cause arbitrary commands to be executed. An attacker can send an HTTP request to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3937 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Sony IPELA E Series Network Camera G5 firmware version 1.87.00. This issue resides in the measurementBitrateExec functionality which processes incoming HTTP requests without proper input validation or sanitization. The vulnerability stems from insufficient security controls that allow malicious actors to inject arbitrary commands through crafted GET requests, effectively bypassing the device's intended operational boundaries. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation mechanisms that should prevent untrusted data from being interpreted as executable code within the system's command processing pipeline.
This command injection vulnerability operates at the application layer and presents a significant risk to network camera security systems. The exploitation occurs when the firmware fails to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters within the measurementBitrateExec function, allowing an attacker to inject malicious commands that get executed with the privileges of the affected service. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it enables full system compromise, potentially allowing attackers to gain persistent access, exfiltrate sensitive data, or manipulate the camera's operational parameters. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires only a simple HTTP GET request, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise and enabling remote exploitation without requiring physical access to the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability creates severe consequences for organizations relying on Sony network cameras for security monitoring and surveillance. Once exploited, the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary commands on the device, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to video feeds. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security assumptions of networked cameras, as it allows attackers to manipulate the device's functionality and potentially use it as a pivot point for broader network attacks. This type of vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection flaws in software applications. The vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol for network-based exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3937 should include immediate firmware updates from Sony to address the command injection flaw, along with network segmentation to limit access to affected devices. Organizations should implement strict input validation controls and employ web application firewalls to detect and prevent malicious requests targeting the measurementBitrateExec functionality. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns and unauthorized access attempts. Security teams must also consider implementing principle of least privilege controls, ensuring that network cameras operate with minimal required permissions and that administrative access is restricted to authorized personnel only. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar command injection vulnerabilities in other networked devices within the organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation mechanisms in embedded systems, particularly those handling network communications and user-supplied data.