CVE-2018-7828 in Sarix Enhanced Camera
Summary
by MITRE
A Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability exists in the 1st Gen. Pelco Sarix Enhanced Camera and Spectra Enhanced PTZ Camera when an authenticated user clicks a specially crafted malicious link while logged into the camera.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2023
The CVE-2018-7828 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw affecting Pelco Sarix Enhanced Camera and Spectra Enhanced PTZ Camera models from the first generation. This vulnerability exploits the fundamental principle of CSRF attacks where an attacker manipulates a victim's authenticated session to perform unauthorized actions without their knowledge or consent. The flaw specifically targets the authentication mechanisms of these network video surveillance devices, which are commonly deployed in enterprise security environments and critical infrastructure protection systems. When an authenticated user accesses a maliciously crafted link while maintaining an active session with the camera's web interface, the device processes the request as if it originated from the legitimate user, thereby enabling unauthorized administrative operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF token validation within the camera's web application framework. Modern web applications typically implement CSRF protection mechanisms such as synchronizer tokens, origin checks, or custom headers to verify that requests originate from legitimate sources within the same session context. However, the Pelco cameras fail to enforce these protective measures, allowing attackers to construct malicious URLs that contain pre-defined commands or configuration changes. This weakness operates at the application layer and specifically affects the camera's HTTP-based management interface, which handles user authentication and administrative functions through standard web protocols. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only a single authenticated session to be compromised, making it accessible through social engineering or phishing techniques that can trick users into clicking malicious links while logged into the security camera system.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-7828 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling attackers to execute a wide range of malicious activities within the camera's operational scope. Attackers could modify camera settings, adjust video recording parameters, change user accounts, or even disable security features that protect the surveillance system. In enterprise environments, this vulnerability could compromise the integrity of security monitoring systems, potentially allowing adversaries to hide their presence or manipulate evidence. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between the user and the camera device, making detection difficult since legitimate administrative actions appear to originate from authorized users. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications, and represents a significant deviation from secure coding practices that should be implemented in all networked security devices.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. Immediate remediation requires applying manufacturer-provided firmware updates that include proper CSRF token validation mechanisms and enhanced session management protocols. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate these devices from critical network segments, reducing the potential attack surface. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls or security monitoring systems that can detect anomalous patterns in web traffic that may indicate CSRF attack attempts. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls and regular security audits of networked devices can further reduce the risk exposure. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation, specifically targeting the T1078 and T1548.001 tactics that focus on legitimate credentials and abuse of privileges within networked environments. Regular security awareness training for personnel who interact with these devices can help prevent successful social engineering attacks that exploit this vulnerability, as user education remains a critical component of comprehensive cybersecurity defense strategies.