CVE-2019-20085 in NVMS-1000
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
TVT NVMS-1000 devices allow GET /.. Directory Traversal
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2025
The CVE-2019-20085 vulnerability affects TVT NVMS-1000 network video management systems which are widely deployed in security monitoring environments. This directory traversal flaw exists in the web interface of the device allowing unauthenticated attackers to access arbitrary files on the underlying operating system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation in the web server component that processes requests to the /.. path sequence, which should be properly sanitized to prevent directory traversal attacks. The affected devices typically run on embedded linux systems and expose web services on standard ports such as 80 and 443 for remote management access.
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that maps to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery. The technical implementation allows attackers to navigate through the file system hierarchy by exploiting the improper handling of directory traversal sequences in the web application layer. When a GET request containing the /.. pattern is sent to the vulnerable endpoint, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input, enabling access to sensitive system files including configuration data, user credentials, and system binaries. The vulnerability exists due to the lack of proper path validation and the absence of a robust security framework that would prevent such traversal attempts. Attackers can leverage this weakness to retrieve critical system information, potentially leading to further exploitation opportunities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on NVMS-1000 devices for security monitoring. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can access sensitive information including system configuration files, user credentials stored in plaintext, and potentially gain insights into the network topology and device configuration. The exposure of system files may lead to privilege escalation opportunities or provide attackers with enough information to conduct more sophisticated attacks against the network infrastructure. Organizations using these devices may experience unauthorized access to surveillance footage, system compromise, and potential data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects devices deployed in various sectors including retail, industrial facilities, and government installations where security monitoring systems are critical. The impact extends beyond immediate data compromise as the vulnerability can serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-20085 should include immediate deployment of vendor-provided security patches or firmware updates that address the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices and ensure that only authorized personnel can reach the management interfaces. Network access controls should be configured to restrict access to the device ports and implement proper firewall rules to prevent unauthorized remote access. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the network infrastructure. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should enforce strong authentication mechanisms, disable unnecessary services, and regularly audit system configurations to reduce the attack surface. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous access patterns and unauthorized file access attempts that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.