CVE-2021-4469 in SHO-110
Summary
by MITRE • 11/15/2025
Denver SHO-110 IP cameras expose a secondary HTTP service on TCP port 8001 that provides access to a '/snapshot' endpoint without authentication. While the primary web interface on port 80 enforces authentication, the backdoor service allows any remote attacker to retrieve image snapshots by directly requesting the 'snapshot' endpoint. An attacker can repeatedly collect snapshots and reconstruct the camera stream, compromising the confidentiality of the monitored environment.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2025
The Denver SHO-110 IP camera vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in networked surveillance equipment that exposes sensitive visual data through an unauthenticated backdoor service. This device operates with two distinct HTTP services running on different ports, where the primary interface on port 80 properly enforces authentication mechanisms while a secondary service on port 8001 lacks any access controls. The vulnerability stems from improper security configuration where the manufacturer failed to implement consistent authentication across all network endpoints, creating a dangerous inconsistency in access control that directly violates security principle of least privilege. This design flaw enables attackers to bypass the intended authentication mechanisms through a direct network request to the unsecured snapshot endpoint, fundamentally undermining the security posture of the entire surveillance system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exposure of a dedicated HTTP service on TCP port 8001 that operates independently from the primary web interface. The '/snapshot' endpoint specifically allows for image retrieval without requiring any authentication credentials, username or password validation, or session management. This unauthenticated access point represents a clear violation of the CWE-284 access control weakness, where improper access control allows unauthorized users to access resources that should be restricted. The flaw operates at the application layer of the network stack and can be exploited through simple HTTP GET requests, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal technical expertise to execute. Attackers can repeatedly access this endpoint to collect multiple image snapshots, potentially reconstructing a complete video feed from the sequential images, which constitutes a sophisticated form of data exfiltration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access to still images, creating significant risks for privacy and security in monitored environments. An attacker can systematically collect visual data from the camera, potentially identifying patterns, tracking movements, and gathering intelligence about the monitored area over time. This capability directly violates the confidentiality requirements of security frameworks like NIST SP 800-53, which mandates proper access controls for information systems. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector where unauthorized parties can continuously monitor and collect data without detection, effectively neutralizing the security benefits of the surveillance system. The implications are particularly severe for critical infrastructure, corporate facilities, or residential environments where such unauthorized access could lead to privacy violations, security breaches, or targeted attacks based on collected visual intelligence.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security architecture improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves disabling the unauthenticated HTTP service on port 8001 through firmware updates or network configuration changes that block access to this port from external networks. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate security-critical devices and ensure that only authorized management systems can access the camera's backdoor services. The remediation process should include verifying that all network services on the device properly enforce authentication mechanisms and that no secondary services operate without proper access controls. Security teams should also establish monitoring protocols to detect unauthorized access attempts to network services and implement regular security assessments to identify similar configuration flaws in other networked devices. This vulnerability highlights the importance of conducting comprehensive security testing of networked equipment and adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in relation to initial access and credential access tactics that leverage unauthenticated services.