CVE-2018-5723 in IPCAMERA01
Summary
by MITRE
MASTER IPCAMERA01 3.3.4.2103 devices have a hardcoded password of cat1029 for the root account.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5723 represents a critical security flaw in MASTER IPCAMERA01 3.3.4.2103 devices that exposes a hardcoded administrative credential. This issue falls under the category of weak authentication mechanisms and hardcoded credentials, which are classified as CWE-259 and CWE-798 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The presence of a hardcoded password for the root account creates a fundamental security weakness that undermines the device's authentication framework and provides unauthorized access to administrative functions. The specific credential cat1029 represents a well-known default password that has been widely documented and exploited in various IoT device compromises, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates poor security practices in device development where developers embedded a static password directly into the firmware code rather than implementing proper authentication mechanisms. This hardcoded credential exists in the device's firmware image and cannot be changed or removed through normal operational procedures, creating a persistent security risk that affects all devices running this specific software version. The vulnerability affects the root account, which typically provides full administrative privileges including configuration changes, user management, and access to sensitive device functions. This level of access allows attackers to completely compromise the device and potentially use it as a foothold for broader network infiltration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual device compromise to create significant risks for network security and privacy. Attackers who discover the hardcoded credential can gain immediate administrative access to surveillance cameras, enabling them to view live feeds, modify recording settings, disable security features, and potentially use the device as a pivot point for attacking other networked systems. This vulnerability directly aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1078 for valid accounts and T1046 for network service scanning. The presence of such a well-known default password makes exploitation trivial and increases the likelihood of automated attacks against devices running this firmware version, particularly in environments where network monitoring is insufficient.
Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates from the manufacturer when available, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. The recommended approach involves changing default credentials where possible, implementing network access controls, and conducting regular security assessments of IoT device inventories. Security professionals should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and ensure that device firmware is regularly updated to address known vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure development practices and proper credential management in embedded systems, particularly in IoT devices where physical security and network access controls may be limited.