CVE-2019-9657 in ADC-V522IR
Summary
by MITRE
Alarm.com ADC-V522IR 0100b9 devices have Incorrect Access Control, a different issue than CVE-2018-19588. This occurs because of incorrect protection of VPN certificates (used for initiating a VPN session to the Alarm.com infrastructure) on the local camera device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2023
The CVE-2019-9657 vulnerability affects Alarm.com ADC-V522IR 0100b9 security camera devices and represents a critical access control flaw that differs from the previously identified CVE-2018-19588 issue. This vulnerability specifically targets the protection mechanisms surrounding VPN certificates that are essential for establishing secure connections between the local camera device and the Alarm.com cloud infrastructure. The flaw manifests in insufficient safeguards for certificate storage and handling within the device's local memory, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to the security system's network communication channels. The vulnerability stems from inadequate implementation of cryptographic protection measures that should normally secure the VPN certificates used for authenticating and encrypting communications between the camera and the central monitoring infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of VPN certificates on the local device, which allows attackers to potentially extract, manipulate, or reuse these certificates without proper authorization. This incorrect access control implementation creates a persistent security weakness where the certificate protection mechanisms fail to adequately prevent unauthorized access to sensitive cryptographic material. The flaw specifically impacts how the device manages certificate storage and access controls, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to the VPN session initiation process and establish connections to the Alarm.com infrastructure without proper authentication. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-284, which describes improper access control in software systems, and represents a failure in implementing proper privilege separation and certificate protection mechanisms. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it enables potential attackers to bypass the intended security boundaries and access the cloud infrastructure that manages security monitoring and alerting services for the affected installations.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9657 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential full compromise of the security monitoring system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain persistent access to the Alarm.com cloud infrastructure, potentially enabling them to monitor security events, disable alerts, or manipulate security settings for the affected devices. This compromise could result in unauthorized surveillance access, data exfiltration, and the potential for further lateral movement within network environments where the security cameras are deployed. The vulnerability's persistence lies in the fact that the VPN certificates remain accessible and usable even after the device has been compromised, creating a long-term security risk that could persist even after the initial exploit is mitigated. Organizations relying on these security cameras for perimeter monitoring, intrusion detection, or access control systems face significant risk of security breaches that could go undetected for extended periods, as the compromised certificates could be used to establish covert communication channels with the cloud infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9657 should focus on immediate certificate rotation and enhanced access control mechanisms for local device management. Network administrators should implement immediate certificate replacement procedures for all affected devices, ensuring that compromised VPN certificates are invalidated and new certificates are properly distributed to maintain secure communication channels. The implementation of proper certificate lifecycle management practices, including secure storage mechanisms and access controls, becomes critical to prevent future occurrences of similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized access attempts to the Alarm.com infrastructure, as well as regular security assessments to identify potential certificate exposure issues. The vulnerability highlights the importance of applying the principle of least privilege to cryptographic material storage and access, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for credential access through unsecured credentials storage. Additionally, vendors should implement proper secure coding practices that address certificate protection and access control mechanisms, particularly in embedded systems where resource constraints might lead to implementation shortcuts that compromise security. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that even seemingly simple access control mechanisms can have significant security implications when not properly implemented, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and validation of cryptographic implementations in IoT and security device ecosystems.