CVE-2022-37680 in ISnex HC-IP9100HD
Summary
by MITRE • 08/30/2022
An access control issue in Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc ISnex HC-IP9100HD Version 1.07 and below allows attackers to remotely reboot the device via a crafted POST request to the endpoint /ptipupgrade.cgi.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-37680 represents a critical access control flaw within the Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc ISnex HC-IP9100HD network video recorder device. This issue affects firmware versions 1.07 and earlier, exposing the device to unauthorized remote exploitation through a specifically crafted POST request directed at the /ptipupgrade.cgi endpoint. The flaw fundamentally undermines the device's security posture by allowing unauthenticated attackers to execute a remote reboot operation, effectively creating a denial of service condition that can be triggered without proper authorization.
This vulnerability manifests as a direct consequence of inadequate input validation and authentication mechanisms within the device's web interface implementation. The /ptipupgrade.cgi endpoint, which should typically require proper authentication and authorization before executing system-level operations such as device reboot, fails to enforce adequate access controls. The device's failure to validate the authenticity of incoming requests permits any remote attacker to construct and submit malicious POST requests that trigger the reboot functionality. This represents a classic example of insufficient authorization controls as classified under CWE-285, where the system does not properly verify that the requesting entity has the necessary permissions to perform the requested action.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can be leveraged as a foundational attack vector for more sophisticated exploitation campaigns. Remote attackers can repeatedly trigger device reboots, potentially causing service disruption to video surveillance systems that rely on continuous operation. In security-critical environments where these devices are deployed for monitoring and protection purposes, such an attack could result in significant operational downtime and compromise of security infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote nature eliminates the need for physical access or local network presence, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as part of the broader category of remote code execution and privilege escalation risks that can be exploited through web interface flaws. The attack pattern aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application tactic, where adversaries target vulnerabilities in externally accessible applications. The device's failure to implement proper access control mechanisms creates an opportunity for attackers to escalate their privileges and potentially gain deeper system access, as the reboot functionality may be leveraged as a stepping stone to more advanced exploitation techniques. Organizations should immediately implement network segmentation and access control measures to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks while applying firmware updates to address the identified vulnerability.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate firmware updates from Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc to address the access control flaw in the /ptipupgrade.cgi endpoint. System administrators should ensure that all affected devices are upgraded to firmware versions that properly validate authentication and authorization before executing system-level operations. Additionally, network-level protections should be implemented through firewall rules that restrict access to the affected endpoint, limiting exposure to trusted network segments only. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust access control policies for all networked devices, particularly those handling sensitive security functions such as video surveillance systems. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect and alert on suspicious POST requests targeting the affected endpoint, providing an additional layer of defense against exploitation attempts.