CVE-2024-25731 in Smart eSmartCam App
Summary
by MITRE • 03/05/2024
The Elink Smart eSmartCam (com.cn.dq.ipc) application 2.1.5 for Android contains hardcoded AES encryption keys that can be extracted from a binary file. Thus, encryption can be defeated by an attacker who can observe packet data (e.g., over Wi-Fi).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2025
The Elink Smart eSmartCam application version 2.1.5 for Android presents a critical security vulnerability through the inclusion of hardcoded AES encryption keys within its binary distribution. This flaw represents a fundamental failure in cryptographic implementation practices and directly violates established security principles for protecting sensitive data transmission. The presence of these hardcoded keys within the application binary creates a persistent weakness that remains exploitable across all instances of the software deployment, regardless of updates or patches applied to the device or network infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's ability to maintain secure communication channels between the camera device and user interfaces, as the encryption mechanism becomes completely ineffective when attackers can extract these keys from the compiled application files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through reverse engineering and static analysis of the application binary, where security researchers or malicious actors can extract the hardcoded AES keys used for encrypting network communications. This extraction process typically involves disassembling the apk file, analyzing the compiled code, and identifying the cryptographic constants that are embedded directly within the application's memory space. The nature of these hardcoded keys means that once extracted, attackers can decrypt intercepted network traffic between the camera application and the device, potentially gaining access to live video feeds, configuration settings, and other sensitive data transmitted over wireless networks. This weakness aligns with CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through the use of hardcoded cryptographic keys, and represents a direct violation of the principle of key separation and proper cryptographic key management practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of the entire surveillance system. When attackers can observe and decrypt network traffic, they gain the ability to monitor live camera feeds, potentially access stored footage, and manipulate device configurations without authentication. This vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the vulnerable application version is installed on devices, making it particularly concerning for enterprise deployments where multiple camera units may be affected. The risk is amplified when considering that the application operates over standard Wi-Fi networks, which are inherently less secure than wired connections and more susceptible to passive monitoring attacks. The vulnerability also impacts the principle of least privilege and defense in depth, as the hardcoded keys provide attackers with the means to bypass multiple layers of security controls that should normally protect the device communications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation efforts focused on eliminating the hardcoded keys from the application binary and implementing proper key management practices. Organizations should urgently update to the latest application version where these keys have been properly randomized and managed through secure key distribution mechanisms. The recommended approach involves implementing secure key rotation protocols, using device-specific key generation, and incorporating proper cryptographic key management systems that prevent the storage of sensitive cryptographic material within application binaries. Security measures should also include network monitoring to detect and alert on unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as well as network segmentation to limit the scope of potential attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access through reverse engineering and privilege escalation through cryptographic key exposure, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls that address both application-level and network-level protections. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper software security development lifecycle practices and the necessity of conducting thorough security assessments before deploying surveillance and IoT applications in sensitive environments.