CVE-2019-6973 in IP CCTV Camera
Summary
by MITRE
Sricam IP CCTV cameras are vulnerable to denial of service via multiple incomplete HTTP requests because the web server (based on gSOAP 2.8.x) is configured for an iterative queueing approach (aka non-threaded operation) with a timeout of several seconds.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6973 affects Sricam IP CCTV cameras that utilize a web server based on gSOAP 2.8.x software stack. This security flaw manifests as a denial of service condition that can be triggered through the exploitation of incomplete HTTP requests. The affected devices operate under an iterative queueing approach rather than a threaded operation model, which creates a specific operational weakness in how the web server handles incoming connections and request processing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the web server's configuration where it processes requests sequentially rather than concurrently. When multiple incomplete HTTP requests are sent to the camera's web interface, the server's iterative processing model becomes overwhelmed as it waits for each incomplete request to time out. This behavior creates a resource exhaustion scenario where the server's connection handling capabilities are consumed by these incomplete requests, preventing legitimate users from accessing the device's web interface or functionality. The timeout period for these incomplete requests, which lasts several seconds, allows attackers to maintain the denial of service condition for extended periods while consuming available processing resources.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly compromises the availability of critical security infrastructure. Network administrators and security personnel who rely on these cameras for surveillance and monitoring purposes face potential operational disruptions that could leave facilities vulnerable to security breaches. The denial of service condition affects not just the web interface but potentially impacts the overall functionality of the camera system, including recording capabilities and remote access features. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that depend on continuous surveillance operations, as any disruption to camera availability could compromise security coverage and incident response capabilities.
The root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which addresses Uncontrolled Resource Consumption, specifically in the context of denial of service attacks. The iterative queueing approach combined with the timeout configuration creates an environment where resource exhaustion occurs through legitimate network traffic patterns. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which covers Network Denial of Service, as the attack vector specifically targets network availability through resource exhaustion. The gSOAP 2.8.x implementation's design decision to use iterative processing rather than threaded operations creates a fundamental architectural weakness that can be exploited without requiring privileged access or complex attack vectors.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating firmware to versions that address the gSOAP configuration issues, implementing network segmentation to limit access to these devices, and configuring network access controls to restrict HTTP request patterns. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns of incomplete HTTP requests can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to newer versions of the gSOAP library that support proper threaded operation or implementing connection limiting mechanisms to prevent queue exhaustion. Device administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary web services and implementing robust access controls to minimize the attack surface and reduce the potential impact of such denial of service conditions.