CVE-2019-18337 in SiNVR 3 Central Control Server
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability has been identified in SiNVR 3 Central Control Server (CCS) (all versions), SiNVR 3 Video Server (all versions). The SiNVR 3 Central Control Server (CCS) contains an authentication bypass vulnerability in its XML-based communication protocol as provided by default on ports 5444/tcp and 5440/tcp. A remote attacker with network access to the CCS server could exploit this vulnerability to read the CCS users database, including the passwords of all users in obfuscated cleartext.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2019-18337 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw affecting SiNVR 3 Central Control Server and Video Server products across all versions. This vulnerability specifically targets the XML-based communication protocol that operates on default ports 5444/tcp and 5440/tcp, exposing a fundamental weakness in the system's access control mechanisms. The flaw allows remote attackers to bypass authentication procedures and gain unauthorized access to sensitive user information, making it particularly dangerous for surveillance and security infrastructure deployments. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of authentication tokens within the XML communication framework, creating an entry point that undermines the entire security architecture of the affected systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of XML-based communication protocols that govern how the Central Control Server handles user authentication requests. Attackers can craft specially formatted XML messages that bypass the normal authentication flow, allowing them to directly access the user database without proper credentials. The system's failure to properly validate authentication requests within the XML protocol layer creates a pathway for unauthorized access, where the attacker can retrieve user credentials stored in obfuscated cleartext format. This particular weakness aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper handling of authentication tokens, and represents a classic case of weak authentication mechanisms in networked security systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of surveillance infrastructure deployments. When attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability, they gain access to the complete user database including all password hashes or cleartext credentials, enabling them to assume legitimate user identities within the system. This access can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to manipulate surveillance footage, modify system configurations, and potentially gain access to other connected systems within the network. The vulnerability affects not just individual user accounts but the entire security ecosystem, as compromised credentials can be used to escalate privileges and move laterally within the network infrastructure. This represents a significant risk for organizations relying on SiNVR 3 systems for security monitoring and control.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate affected systems from general network access, disabling unnecessary network services on the vulnerable ports, and implementing strict firewall rules to restrict access to only trusted networks. The recommended approach involves applying vendor patches as soon as they become available, while also implementing monitoring for suspicious network activity on ports 5444/tcp and 5440/tcp. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software within their infrastructure and ensure that authentication mechanisms are properly configured. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify attempts to exploit XML-based communication protocol vulnerabilities, as these attacks often follow predictable patterns that can be detected through network traffic analysis. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access tactics, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls that address both network-level and application-level access controls.