CVE-2018-5724 in IPCAMERA01
Summary
by MITRE
MASTER IPCAMERA01 3.3.4.2103 devices allow Unauthenticated Configuration Download and Upload, as demonstrated by restore.cgi.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5724 affects MASTER IPCAMERA01 devices running firmware version 3.3.4.2103 and potentially other affected models within the same product line. This security flaw represents a critical configuration management weakness that allows unauthorized users to access sensitive system configuration data without proper authentication. The vulnerability specifically manifests through the restore.cgi component which serves as a configuration management interface, enabling attackers to download and upload system configurations without providing valid credentials or authentication tokens. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the device's access control mechanisms and violates core security principles of authentication and authorization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication checks within the restore.cgi script, which forms part of the device's web-based management interface. When an attacker accesses the restore.cgi endpoint, the system fails to validate whether the requesting user possesses proper authorization credentials before allowing configuration file operations. This flaw falls under the CWE-287 category of Improper Authentication, specifically addressing weak or missing authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform both configuration downloads and uploads, potentially allowing them to extract sensitive system information, modify device settings, or even restore malicious configurations that could compromise the entire device. The lack of authentication enforcement creates a persistent backdoor that remains active until the device is properly secured or the firmware is updated.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5724 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete control over device configuration management functions. An attacker could use this vulnerability to extract backup configurations containing potentially sensitive information such as network credentials, system parameters, or device-specific settings that could aid in further attacks. The ability to upload configurations allows for more sophisticated attacks including the installation of malicious firmware modifications or the reconfiguration of device settings to redirect traffic or disable security features. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers Valid Accounts and T1083 which covers File and Directory Discovery, as attackers can leverage this flaw to gain persistent access and explore system configurations without detection. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in networked environments where these devices may serve as entry points for broader network compromise, as they can be accessed remotely and exploited without requiring prior knowledge of legitimate credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5724 should focus on immediate firmware updates from the manufacturer, as this vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent releases. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical network segments and apply network access controls to restrict access to management interfaces. The configuration management interface should be secured with strong authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication where possible, and access should be limited to authorized administrative users only. Regular security audits should include verification that configuration management interfaces properly enforce authentication controls, and network monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts to these endpoints. Additionally, devices should be configured to disable unnecessary services and interfaces, and regular configuration backups should be performed and monitored for unauthorized modifications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper access control implementation and demonstrates how weak authentication in management interfaces can lead to complete device compromise, making it essential to apply security patches promptly and maintain comprehensive network security monitoring practices.