CVE-2021-40419 in RLC-410W
Summary
by MITRE • 01/28/2022
A firmware update vulnerability exists in the 'factory' binary of reolink RLC-410W v3.0.0.136_20121102. A specially-crafted series of network requests can lead to arbitrary firmware update. An attacker can send a sequence of requests to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2022
This vulnerability resides in the factory binary of reolink RLC-410W security cameras running firmware version 3.0.0.136_20121102, representing a critical security flaw that allows attackers to perform unauthorized firmware updates. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authentication checks within the firmware update mechanism, specifically targeting the factory binary component that handles device provisioning and update operations. According to CWE-284, this issue involves improper access control mechanisms, while the ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through firmware manipulation. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass legitimate update procedures and install malicious firmware versions, potentially compromising the entire device and its network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to craft and send a sequence of network requests that exploit the factory binary's update handling logic. This flaw operates at the network protocol level where the device fails to properly authenticate update requests or validate the integrity of firmware images being transmitted. The factory binary, which should only be accessible during initial device provisioning or authorized maintenance operations, becomes a vector for unauthorized firmware manipulation. Attackers can leverage this weakness to inject custom firmware code that may include backdoors, malware, or other malicious components that persist across device reboots. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only network connectivity to the affected device and does not necessitate physical access or complex attack chains.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect entire network infrastructures. Once an attacker gains control through unauthorized firmware updates, they can establish persistent access points within the network, monitor traffic, or redirect communications to malicious servers. This capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1072 for application deployment, where attackers can install malicious software that operates at the system level. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for lateral movement within networks, as compromised devices can serve as launch points for attacks against other connected systems. Organizations relying on reolink cameras for security monitoring face significant risks including data breaches, denial of service attacks, and complete loss of surveillance capabilities. The persistent nature of firmware-level compromises makes detection and remediation particularly challenging, as malicious code can survive device reboots and standard software updates.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate protection and long-term security enhancements. Organizations should immediately disable unnecessary network services and implement network segmentation to limit access to affected devices. Network administrators should deploy firewall rules and access control lists to restrict communication with the vulnerable device to trusted IP addresses only. Firmware updates should be applied as soon as vendor patches become available, though in this case the vulnerability appears to be a design flaw that may not have a straightforward patch. Device authentication mechanisms should be strengthened through the implementation of secure boot processes and firmware integrity checks. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual update patterns or unauthorized network requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure firmware development practices and proper input validation, as outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and NIST guidelines for embedded system security.