CVE-2022-21796 in RLC-410W
Summary
by MITRE • 01/28/2022
A memory corruption vulnerability exists in the netserver parse_command_list functionality of reolink RLC-410W v3.0.0.136_20121102. A specially-crafted HTTP request can lead to an out-of-bounds write. An attacker can send an HTTP request to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21796 represents a critical memory corruption issue within the reolink RLC-410W network camera firmware version 3.0.0.136_20121102. This flaw resides in the netserver component's parse_command_list functionality, which processes incoming HTTP requests from network clients. The device operates as a security camera system that accepts HTTP-based commands for configuration and control, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard network protocols. The affected device is part of the Reolink ecosystem, which is widely deployed for surveillance purposes in both residential and commercial environments, amplifying the potential impact of this vulnerability across numerous networked systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition within the command parsing logic. When the netserver component receives an HTTP request containing specially crafted parameters, the parse_command_list function fails to properly validate input boundaries before writing data to memory locations. This memory corruption occurs because the application does not adequately check the size or content of incoming command parameters, allowing an attacker to overflow buffer boundaries and overwrite adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and input validation mechanisms, which are fundamental security controls that should prevent such memory corruption scenarios. This flaw directly maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities in memory management operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as it creates potential pathways for remote code execution and complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to the device's operating system, potentially allowing them to install malicious software, modify camera settings, access stored video footage, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the local network. The attack surface is particularly concerning because network cameras are often deployed in environments with minimal security monitoring, and the vulnerability can be triggered through simple HTTP requests without requiring authentication. This makes the exploitation relatively straightforward and accessible to attackers with basic network reconnaissance capabilities. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the compromised device.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from Reolink, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing the memory corruption issue. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices, using firewalls to restrict HTTP access to only trusted administrative systems. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary HTTP services, implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of networked security devices. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems specifically configured to identify exploitation attempts targeting known camera vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of firmware updates in controlled environments before deployment to production systems, ensuring that the patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing network configurations. Regular security audits of all networked devices, particularly those with web interfaces, should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the enterprise infrastructure.