CVE-2020-9529 in Shenzhen Hichip Vision Technology
Summary
by MITRE
Firmware developed by Shenzhen Hichip Vision Technology (V6 through V20), as used by many different vendors in millions of Internet of Things devices, suffers from a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows attackers on the local network to reset the device's administrator password. This affects products marketed under the following brand names: Accfly, Alptop, Anlink, Besdersec, BOAVISION, COOAU, CPVAN, Ctronics, D3D Security, Dericam, Elex System, Elite Security, ENSTER, ePGes, Escam, FLOUREON, GENBOLT, Hongjingtian (HJT), ICAMI, Iegeek, Jecurity, Jennov, KKMoon, LEFTEK, Loosafe, Luowice, Nesuniq, Nettoly, ProElite, QZT, Royallite, SDETER, SV3C, SY2L, Tenvis, ThinkValue, TOMLOV, TPTEK, WGCC, and ZILINK.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9529 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the firmware of IoT devices manufactured by Shenzhen Hichip Vision Technology. This security weakness affects firmware versions ranging from V6 through V20 and has been incorporated into countless consumer and commercial IoT products across multiple brand names, creating a widespread exposure that impacts millions of connected devices globally. The vulnerability specifically resides in the device's authentication mechanisms, where local network attackers can exploit a design flaw to reset administrator passwords without proper authorization, effectively compromising the device's security posture.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access control implementation within the firmware's password reset functionality. When legitimate password reset operations are performed, the system fails to properly validate the request source or authenticate the requester's privileges, allowing any attacker within the local network segment to manipulate the password reset process. This weakness directly maps to CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically manifesting as improper privilege management where the system does not adequately enforce authorization checks. The flaw essentially creates an unauthenticated path to administrative control, which represents a fundamental breakdown in the device's security architecture.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to IoT device deployments across various sectors including residential security systems, commercial surveillance networks, and industrial monitoring solutions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain full administrative control over affected devices, potentially enabling them to modify security settings, disable protective features, access stored data, or even use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other networked systems. The local network requirement means that attackers need physical or network proximity to the device, but this limitation does not mitigate the severity since many IoT devices operate in environments where such access is readily available. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, as it allows adversaries to establish persistent access through legitimate administrative credentials obtained through exploitation.
The widespread adoption of this firmware across numerous vendors and brand names creates a cascading security risk that extends far beyond individual device compromises. Organizations deploying devices from brands such as Accfly, Dericam, Tenvis, and others must recognize that their security infrastructure may be compromised if these devices remain unpatched. The vulnerability affects not just single vendors but represents a systemic issue within the IoT ecosystem where common firmware components create shared attack surfaces. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability when conducting network assessments, particularly in environments where IoT devices are deployed without proper network segmentation or monitoring controls. The remediation process requires firmware updates from device manufacturers, which may not be readily available for all affected models, potentially leaving many installations vulnerable for extended periods. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect unauthorized password reset attempts and consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such attacks, as the vulnerability essentially undermines the fundamental security model of IoT devices that rely on proper authentication and access control mechanisms to maintain their operational integrity.