CVE-2018-8072 in IC-3140W
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on EDIMAX IC-3140W through 3.06, IC-5150W through 3.09, and IC-6220DC through 3.06 devices. The ipcam_cgi binary contains a stack-based buffer overflow that is possible to trigger from a remote unauthenticated /camera-cgi/public/getsysyeminfo.cgi?action=VALUE_HERE HTTP request: if the VALUE_HERE length is more than 0x400 (1024), it is possible to overwrite other values located on the stack due to an incorrect use of the strcpy() function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8072 affects several EDIMAX network camera models including the IC-3140W, IC-5150W, and IC-6220DC series. These devices operate with firmware versions up to 3.06 or 3.09 respectively, creating a significant security exposure across multiple product lines. The flaw resides within the ipcam_cgi binary component which handles various camera control functions through a web interface. This particular vulnerability represents a critical security weakness that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected devices without requiring authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous in unsecured network environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition within the ipcam_cgi binary. The specific flaw occurs when processing HTTP requests to the /camera-cgi/public/getsysyeminfo.cgi endpoint with a malicious VALUE_HERE parameter. The system uses the strcpy() function incorrectly, failing to validate input length before copying data to a fixed-size stack buffer. When the VALUE_HERE parameter exceeds 1024 bytes, the function continues writing beyond the allocated buffer space, causing adjacent stack memory locations to be overwritten. This improper memory management creates a predictable exploitation scenario where attackers can manipulate return addresses and execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, creating a comprehensive attack surface for malicious actors. Since the vulnerability is accessible via unauthenticated HTTP requests, it allows attackers to compromise devices from anywhere on the internet without requiring valid credentials. This makes the attack vector particularly attractive for large-scale exploitation campaigns targeting unpatched network camera installations. The vulnerability can be exploited to gain full administrative control over the affected cameras, potentially enabling persistent backdoors, data exfiltration, or use as a pivot point for further attacks within network perimeters. The stack overflow condition also introduces potential system instability and denial of service conditions, making the exploitation impact broader than just code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8072 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from EDIMAX to address the root cause of the buffer overflow vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate affected camera devices from critical network segments, reducing the potential attack surface. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous HTTP requests to the vulnerable endpoint, particularly those with unusually long parameter values exceeding normal operational thresholds. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable device. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting the need for both preventive measures and runtime monitoring to protect against exploitation attempts.