CVE-2018-6413 in Camera
Summary
by MITRE
There is a buffer overflow in the Hikvision Camera DS-2CD9111-S of V4.1.2 build 160203 and before, and this vulnerability allows remote attackers to launch a denial of service attack (service interruption) via a crafted network setting interface request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6413 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw discovered in Hikvision network cameras, specifically the DS-2CD9111-S model running firmware version V4.1.2 build 160203 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the device's network setting interface handling mechanism, where insufficient input validation permits malicious actors to craft specially formatted network requests that trigger memory corruption. The buffer overflow occurs when the camera processes network configuration data, particularly in the way it handles incoming network setting interface requests that exceed allocated memory boundaries. This flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which encompasses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to disrupt critical security infrastructure without requiring authentication or physical access to the device. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted network requests that cause the camera's memory management to overflow, leading to service interruption and complete device unavailability. The remote nature of this attack vector makes it particularly dangerous for security deployments where cameras serve as critical monitoring points, as unauthorized actors can remotely disable surveillance systems without detection. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability aspect of the CIA triad and can be classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework's T1499.004 technique, which involves network denial of service attacks targeting network infrastructure components.
The exploitation of CVE-2018-6413 requires minimal technical expertise and can be executed through automated scanning tools, making it a significant threat to organizations relying on Hikvision camera deployments. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple firmware versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the device's input processing architecture that was not adequately addressed through version updates. Organizations deploying these devices face substantial risk of service disruption, particularly in environments where continuous monitoring is critical for security operations. The impact extends to potential secondary consequences including increased attack surface for other vulnerabilities, as compromised cameras can serve as entry points for broader network infiltration attempts. Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates to versions that address this buffer overflow, network segmentation to limit access to affected devices, and implementation of intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their entire camera infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure proper network access controls are implemented to prevent unauthorized access to network management interfaces.