CVE-2018-6300 in Smartcam
Summary
by MITRE
Remote password change in Hanwha Techwin Smartcams
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2020
The CVE-2018-6300 vulnerability represents a critical authentication flaw in Hanwha Techwin Smartcams that allows remote attackers to change device passwords without proper authorization. This vulnerability specifically affects the web-based management interface of various Hanwha Techwin camera models, including but not limited to the Samsung SmartCam series. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and authentication mechanisms within the camera's web administration portal, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to manipulate account credentials remotely. Security researchers identified that the system fails to properly verify the identity of users attempting to modify password settings, particularly when using the HTTP POST method to submit password change requests. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient session management and lack of proper access controls that should normally prevent unauthorized modifications to authentication parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits weak validation routines in the camera's web server component, where password change requests are processed without adequate verification of the current password or user session legitimacy. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious HTTP requests that bypass normal authentication flows, allowing them to set new passwords for administrative accounts. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes password change requests through the /password_change or similar endpoints, where it fails to validate whether the request originates from an authenticated user with appropriate privileges. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to completely compromise camera accounts and potentially gain full administrative control over the devices. The lack of proper input sanitization means that attackers can submit specially crafted requests that exploit the system's failure to validate the authenticity of password change attempts.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-6300 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of networked surveillance systems. Once exploited, attackers can gain persistent access to camera feeds, modify video recording settings, disable security features, and potentially use the compromised cameras as entry points for further network penetration. The vulnerability affects organizations that deploy Hanwha Techwin Smartcams in critical infrastructure, healthcare facilities, retail environments, and industrial settings where surveillance security is paramount. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a significant concern for organizations following NIST SP 800-53 security controls related to access control and authentication. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts usage, as compromised camera credentials can be leveraged for lateral movement within networks. Organizations using these cameras face potential regulatory compliance violations under standards such as ISO 27001 and GDPR, as unauthorized access to surveillance systems constitutes a serious data protection breach.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6300 should include immediate firmware updates from Hanwha Techwin to address the authentication flaw, network segmentation to isolate affected cameras from critical systems, and implementation of strong access controls including multi-factor authentication where possible. Organizations should also deploy network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous password change activities and implement regular security assessments of their surveillance infrastructure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper authentication design, particularly in IoT devices that handle sensitive data and provide access to physical security systems. Network administrators should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all affected devices and ensure that default credentials are changed immediately. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems and regular security audits can help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future. The remediation process should also include updating network access control lists to restrict administrative access to only authorized personnel and establishing robust incident response procedures for potential exploitation attempts.