CVE-2019-6000 in Camera
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) of EOS series digital cameras (EOS-1D X firmware version 2.1.0 and earlier, EOS-1D X MKII firmware version 1.1.6 and earlier, EOS-1D C firmware version 1.4.1 and earlier, EOS 5D MARK III firmware version 1.3.5 and earlier, EOS 5D MARK IV firmware version 1.2.0 and earlier, EOS 5DS firmware version 1.1.2 and earlier, EOS 5DS R firmware version 1.1.2 and earlier, EOS 6D firmware version 1.1.8 and earlier, EOS 6D MARK II firmware version 1.0.4 and earlier, EOS 7D MARK II firmware version 1.1.2 and earlier, EOS 70 D firmware version 1.1.2 and earlier, EOS 80 D firmware version 1.0.2 and earlier, EOS KISS X7I / EOS D REBEL T5I / EOS 700D firmware version 1.1.5 and earlier, EOS KISS X8I / EOS D REBEL T6I / EOS 750D firmware version 1.0.0 and earlier, EOS KISS X9I / EOS D REBEL T7I / EOS 800D firmware version 1.0.1 and earlier, EOS KISS X7 / EOS D REBEL SL1 / EOS 100D firmware version 1.0.1 and earlier, EOS KISS X9 / EOS D REBEL SL2 / EOS 200D firmware version 1.0.1 and earlier, EOS KISS X10 / EOS D REBEL SL3 / EOS 200D / EOS 250D firmware version 1.0.1 and earlier, EOS 8000D / EOS D REBEL T6S / EOS 760D firmware version 1.0.0 and earlier, EOS 9000D / EOS 77D firmware version 1.0.2 and earlier, EOS KISS X70 / EOS D REBEL T5 / EOS 1200D firmware version 1.0.2 and earlier, EOS D REBEL T5 RE / EOS 1200D MG / EOS HI firmware version 1.0.2 and earlier, EOS KISS X80 / EOS D REBEL T6 / EOS 1300D firmware version 1.1.0 and earlier, EOS KISS X90 / EOS D REBEL T7 / EOS 1500D / EOS 2000D firmware version 1.0.0 and earlier, EOS D REBEL T100 / EOS 3000D / EOS 4000D firmware version 1.0.0 and earlier, EOS R firmware version 1.3.0 and earlier, EOS RP firmware version 1.2.0 and earlier, EOS RP GOLD firmware version 1.2.0 and earlier, EOS M2 firmware version 1.0.3 and earlier, EOS M3 firmware version 1.2.0 and earlier, EOS M5 firmware version 1.0.1 and earlier, EOS M6 firmware version 1.0.1 and earlier, EOS M6(China) firmware version 5.0.0 and earlier, EOS M10 firmware version 1.1.0 and earlier, EOS M100 firmware version 1.0.0 and earlier, EOS KISS M / EOS M50 firmware version 1.0.2 and earlier) and PowerShot SX740 HS firmware version 1.0.1 and earlier, PowerShot SX70 HS firmware version 1.1.0 and earlier, and PowerShot G5Xmark? firmware version 1.0.1 and earlier allows an attacker on the same network segment to trigger the affected product being unresponsive or to execute arbitrary code on the affected product via sendhostinfo command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/10/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-6000 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Picture Transfer Protocol implementation of various Canon digital cameras and camcorders. This issue affects a comprehensive range of EOS series cameras spanning multiple generations including the EOS-1D X series, EOS 5D Mark series, EOS 6D series, EOS 7D Mark series, and numerous entry-level models such as the EOS 100D, EOS 200D, and EOS 1200D series. The affected devices also include PowerShot models like the SX740 HS, SX70 HS, and G5X Mark II. The vulnerability specifically resides in the PTP protocol handling mechanism that governs communication between these cameras and computers or other devices on the network.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the sendhostinfo command within the PTP protocol implementation. This command is designed to transmit host information from the camera to a connected device, but due to improper input validation and buffer management, an attacker on the same network segment can craft malicious payloads that exceed the allocated buffer space. The buffer overflow condition allows for arbitrary code execution or system unresponsiveness, effectively compromising the device's operational integrity. This flaw falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of unsafe memory manipulation in embedded systems. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where input data is not properly bounded before being copied into fixed-size buffers.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-6000 extends beyond simple device disruption to potentially enabling full system compromise of affected Canon cameras. When exploited, the vulnerability can lead to complete system takeover, allowing attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the camera's operating system. This capability enables attackers to install backdoors, exfiltrate stored photos and videos, modify camera settings, or even use the device as a pivot point for further attacks within a network. The attack vector requires only network proximity, making it particularly dangerous in environments where cameras are connected to local networks or wireless access points. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as the buffer overflow enables code execution and system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-6000 must address both immediate operational security concerns and long-term firmware updates. Organizations should immediately isolate affected devices from untrusted networks and implement network segmentation to prevent lateral movement. The most effective long-term solution involves applying firmware updates provided by Canon, which address the buffer overflow by implementing proper input validation and memory boundary checks. Security teams should also consider network monitoring to detect anomalous PTP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, device administrators should disable unnecessary network services when cameras are not actively being used, as this reduces the attack surface for potential exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems and demonstrates how seemingly minor protocol implementation flaws can result in significant security risks across multiple device categories.