CVE-2019-7260 in Linear eMerge E3
Summary
by MITRE
Linear eMerge E3-Series devices have Cleartext Credentials in a Database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2023
The Linear eMerge E3-Series represents a line of network video recording devices commonly deployed in security surveillance environments where the handling of authentication credentials directly impacts overall system security posture. These devices are designed to store and manage video footage while providing network connectivity for remote access and configuration management. The vulnerability under discussion specifically targets how these systems handle credential storage, creating a significant risk for unauthorized access to surveillance infrastructure. The flaw manifests in the database storage mechanism where authentication credentials are maintained in plaintext format rather than being properly encrypted or hashed, making them immediately accessible to any attacker who gains access to the database layer. This configuration directly violates fundamental security principles for credential management and represents a critical oversight in the device's security architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the device's database design where user authentication information including usernames and passwords are stored without adequate cryptographic protection. When a database is compromised through various attack vectors such as SQL injection, unauthorized network access, or insider threats, the plaintext credentials become immediately exploitable. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple credential theft as it enables full administrative access to the surveillance system, allowing attackers to manipulate video recordings, modify system configurations, disable security features, and potentially gain access to other networked systems within the same infrastructure. This type of flaw falls under the category of weak credential storage mechanisms and directly relates to CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage of credentials. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in implementing proper cryptographic practices during the system design phase.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-7260 is severe for organizations relying on Linear eMerge E3-Series devices for security monitoring. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain complete control over the surveillance infrastructure, potentially leading to data breaches, tampering with critical security evidence, and enabling further lateral movement within the network. The compromised system may serve as a staging point for more sophisticated attacks, as surveillance footage often contains sensitive information about network activities, personnel movements, and physical security measures. Organizations may experience regulatory compliance violations, loss of security evidence, and potential legal consequences from unauthorized access to surveillance data. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with limited cybersecurity resources. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through various means including database compromise, and demonstrates how weak credential storage can enable broader attack vectors within the network.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of database encryption and proper credential handling practices. Organizations should ensure that all authentication credentials are stored using strong cryptographic hashing algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2, with appropriate salt values to prevent rainbow table attacks. Database access controls must be implemented to restrict unauthorized access to credential storage areas, including network segmentation, firewall rules, and principle of least privilege enforcement. Regular security assessments should include database vulnerability scanning to identify similar cleartext storage issues throughout the infrastructure. System administrators must also implement monitoring for unauthorized database access attempts and credential usage patterns that may indicate compromise. The remediation process should involve immediate patching of affected devices when available, along with comprehensive credential rotation for all users. Organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication and privilege separation to reduce the impact of credential compromise. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous database access patterns and potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of following security best practices in database design and credential management, as outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-63 for authentication and authorization practices.