CVE-2018-7780 in Pelco Sarix Professional
Summary
by MITRE
In Schneider Electric Pelco Sarix Professional 1st generation cameras with firmware versions prior to 3.29.69, a buffer overflow vulnerability exist in cgi program "set".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7780 affects Schneider Electric Pelco Sarix Professional 1st generation network cameras operating with firmware versions earlier than 3.29.69. This represents a critical security flaw that resides within the camera's web interface implementation, specifically within the cgi program named "set". The affected devices are part of a widely deployed surveillance camera ecosystem used in enterprise and industrial environments for security monitoring and access control. These cameras are commonly found in critical infrastructure facilities, commercial buildings, and government installations where reliable network security is paramount.
The technical flaw manifests as a buffer overflow condition within the set cgi program which processes user input through web requests. When an attacker sends a malformed HTTP request containing excessively long input data to the vulnerable camera's web server, the program fails to properly validate or bound-check the input before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This classic programming error allows the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or complete system compromise. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking permits data to overflow into adjacent memory segments. The attack vector requires network access to the camera's web interface and can be executed remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for devices accessible over untrusted networks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system compromise, as it enables attackers to gain full administrative control over the affected cameras. Successful exploitation could allow threat actors to modify camera settings, disable security features, capture video streams, or even use the compromised device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. In industrial control systems environments, this vulnerability could facilitate lateral movement attacks against critical infrastructure, potentially affecting operational technology networks that are often isolated from traditional IT security controls. The vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services, where attackers leverage unpatched web services to establish persistent access. Given that these cameras are often deployed in critical infrastructure environments, the potential for cascading security failures is significant, as compromised devices could be used to monitor or disrupt essential services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7780 require immediate firmware updates to version 3.29.69 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical systems and apply strict firewall rules to limit access to the camera's web interface ports. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary web services, implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of surveillance infrastructure. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to detect exploitation attempts targeting web-based network cameras. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware in IoT and OT devices, as these often represent persistent security risks when left unpatched. Organizations should establish comprehensive device inventory management to identify all affected cameras and ensure timely patch deployment across their entire surveillance network infrastructure.