CVE-2018-7236 in Pelco Sarix Professional
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability exists in Schneider Electric's Pelco Sarix Professional in all firmware versions prior to 3.29.67 which could enable SSH service due to lack of authentication for /login/bin/set_param could enable SSH service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7236 represents a critical security flaw within Schneider Electric's Pelco Sarix Professional surveillance cameras, affecting all firmware versions prior to 3.29.67. This issue stems from inadequate authentication mechanisms within the device's web interface, specifically targeting the /login/bin/set_param endpoint which controls various system parameters including SSH service configuration. The flaw allows unauthorized remote attackers to manipulate system settings without proper credentials, creating a significant backdoor opportunity for malicious actors seeking to compromise these security devices. The vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and authentication controls that are fundamental to secure network device operation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the set_param endpoint which lacks proper authentication checks. Attackers can send crafted HTTP requests to the /login/bin/set_param URL to modify system parameters including enabling SSH access without requiring valid user credentials or authentication tokens. This represents a classic authentication bypass vulnerability that can be categorized under CWE-287, which deals with improper handling of authentication tokens or credentials. The flaw essentially allows any remote user to gain administrative control over the device by simply invoking the parameter setting functionality, effectively eliminating the need for legitimate authentication processes that should normally be required for system configuration changes.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-7236 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to establish persistent remote control over surveillance equipment that is typically deployed in sensitive environments. Once SSH access is enabled, malicious actors can execute arbitrary commands on the device, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of security operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for industrial environments where Pelco Sarix cameras are commonly deployed for perimeter security, access control, and monitoring purposes. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1021.004 which covers remote services and T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreters, enabling both initial access and post-compromise persistence.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to version 3.29.67 or later, which addresses the authentication bypass issue by implementing proper access controls for the set_param endpoint. Network administrators should also implement additional security measures including network segmentation to isolate security devices, firewall rules to restrict access to the device's web management interfaces, and monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper authentication implementation and access control mechanisms as outlined in NIST SP 800-53 security controls, particularly those related to access control and system and information integrity. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their entire surveillance infrastructure to identify other potentially affected devices that may share similar authentication flaws, as this type of vulnerability often indicates broader security implementation gaps in networked security devices.