CVE-2018-6414 in IP Camera
Summary
by MITRE
A buffer overflow vulnerability in the web server of some Hikvision IP Cameras allows an attacker to send a specially crafted message to affected devices. Due to the insufficient input validation, successful exploit can corrupt memory and lead to arbitrary code execution or crash the process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the web server component of certain Hikvision IP camera models, exposing devices to remote code execution risks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize incoming data streams, particularly those transmitted through the web interface. When maliciously crafted messages are sent to the affected devices, the insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard buffer overflow patterns where attacker-controlled data exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability maps directly to common weakness enumeration CWE-121, which describes unsafe use of buffer or memory, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation for execution. The web server component acts as the primary attack vector, as it processes HTTP requests and responses from remote clients without adequate validation of message length or content structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Affected devices may experience unexpected crashes or become fully controlled by malicious actors who can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process. This creates significant risks for surveillance networks where these devices are deployed, as attackers could potentially access live video feeds, modify device configurations, or use compromised cameras as entry points for broader network infiltration.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates from Hikvision addressing the specific buffer overflow conditions, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and implementation of intrusion detection systems monitoring for anomalous web server traffic patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling unnecessary web services, implementing strict access controls, and regularly reviewing device configurations to minimize attack surface. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and proper memory management practices in embedded network devices, particularly those handling untrusted network input. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their entire surveillance infrastructure to identify similar weaknesses in other networked devices that may be susceptible to similar exploitation techniques.