Axis Network Camera HTTP Authentication Bypass
Core Security Technologies Advisory
http://www.coresecurity.com
Date Published: 2003-05-27
Last Update: 2003-05-23
Advisory ID: CORE-2003-0403
Bugtraq ID: 7652
CVE Name: CAN-2003-0240
Title: Axis Network Camera HTTP Authentication Bypass
Class: Access Validation Error
Remotely Exploitable: Yes
Locally Exploitable: No
Vendors contacted:
- Axis Communications
. Core Notification: 2003-04-10
. Notification acknowledged by Axis: 2003-04-17
. 2.34 Release candidate for the Axis 2400/2401 Video Servers available: 2003-04-17
. Fixed versions available for all affected products: 2003-05-27
Release Mode: COORDINATED RELEASE
*Vulnerability Description:*
An Axis Network Camera captures and transmits live images directly over an IP network (e.g. LAN/intranet/Internet), enabling users to remotely view and/or manage the camera from a Web browser on any computer. For more information see http://www.axis.com
After setting up the Axis Camera, the user is provided with Web-based Administration Tools for configuring and managing the camera by accessing http://camera-ip/admin/admin.shtml, which requires a username and password.
We have discovered the following security vulnerability: by accessing http://camera-ip//admin/admin.shtml (notice the double slash) the authentication for "admin" is bypassed and an attacker gains direct access to the configuration.
Using this vulnerability, an attacker can reset the root password, then enable the telnet server by modifying configuration files, giving the attacker interactive access to a Unix like command line, allowing her to execute arbitrary commands as root.
*Vulnerable Packages:*
. AXIS 2100 Network Camera versions 2.32 and previous
. AXIS 2110 Network Camera versions 2.32 and previous
. AXIS 2120 Network Camera versions 2.32 and previous
. AXIS 2130 PTZ Network Camera versions 2.32 and previous
. AXIS 2400 Video Server versions 2.32 and previous
. AXIS 2401 Video Server versions 2.32 and previous
. AXIS 2420 Network Camera versions 2.32 and previous
. AXIS 2460 Network DVR versions 3.00 and previous
. AXIS 250S Video Server versions 3.02 and previous
*Solution/Vendor Information/Workaround:*
Axis Communications has released new firmwares closing this vulnerability in its Network Camera and Video Server products.
New releases are available at:
AXIS 2100 Network Camera: 2.34
ftp://ftp.axis.com/pub_soft/cam_srv/cam_2100/2_34/
AXIS 2110 Network Camera: 2.34
ftp://ftp.axis.com/pub_soft/cam_srv/cam_2110/2_34/
AXIS 2120 Network Camera: 2.34
ftp://ftp.axis.com/pub_soft/cam_srv/cam_2120/2_34/
AXIS 2130 Network Camera: 2.34
ftp://ftp.axis.com/pub_soft/cam_srv/cam_2130/2_34/
AXIS 2400 Video Server: 2.34
ftp://ftp.axis.com/pub_soft/cam_srv/cam_2400/2_34/
AXIS 2401 Video Server: 2.34
ftp://ftp.axis.com/pub_soft/cam_srv/cam_2401/2_34/
AXIS 2420 Network Camera: 2.34
ftp://ftp.axis.com/pub_soft/cam_srv/cam_2420/2_34/
AXIS 2460 Network DVR: 3.10
ftp://ftp.axis.com/pub_soft/cam_srv/cam_2460/3_10/
AXIS 250S Video Server: 3.03
ftp://ftp.axis.com/pub_soft/cam_srv/cam_250s/3_03/
Recommended Actions:
We strongly recommend that all devices are updated to these firmware versions.
*Credits:*
This vulnerability was found by Juliano Rizzo from Core Security Technologies.
We wish to thank Joacim Tullberg from Axis for his quick response to this issue.
*Technical Description - Exploit/Concept Code:*
We have discovered the following security vulnerability: by accessing http://camera-ip//admin/admin.shtml (notice the double slash) the authentication for "admin" is bypassed and an attacker gains direct access to the configuration.
In the same way, an attacker can access the other administration tools for the camera.
Note that the workaround for a recently published Axis HTTP Server vulnerability (see reference [1]) was to add authentication to some particular paths. With this vulnerability the authentication can be bypassed, so the mentioned Information Disclosure vulnerability can still be exploited.
The affected Axis devices run a Linux like operating system. With this vulnerability an attacker can reset the root password. Then using the default open ftp server, the attacker can download configuration files, modify these files and upload them again. Modifying /etc/inittab it is possible to enable the Telnet server (see [2] a technical note explaining how to enable Telnet support), giving the attacker interactive access to a Unix like command line. Axis provides free developer tools (see [3]), so it is feasible for an attacker to build tools like port scanners or proxies to start attacks from the compromised camera (which are usually installed inside internal networks) which could lead to the compromise of the internal network.
*References:*
[1] Axis Communications HTTP Server Messages Information Disclosure Vulnerability (published 2003-02-28): http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/6980/
[2] Technical Note: Enable Telnet Support in the Axis Camera Servers
As stated in this page: "You should enable this option for experimental use only. Never leave the Telnet access enabled when having the Network Camera installed on a public site."
[3] Axis' developer site (where a compiler and other development tools can be downloaded): http://developer.axis.com/
*About Core Security Technologies*
Core Security Technologies develops strategic security solutions for Fortune 1000 corporations, government agencies and military organizations. The company offers information security software and services designed to assess risk and protect and manage information assets.
Headquartered in Boston, MA, Core Security Technologies can be reached at 617-399-6980 or on the Web at http://www.coresecurity.com.
To learn more about CORE IMPACT, the first comprehensive penetration testing framework, visit: http://www.coresecurity.com/products/coreimpact
*DISCLAIMER:*
The contents of this advisory are copyright (c) 2003 Core Security Technologies and may be distributed freely provided that no fee is charged for this distribution and proper credit is given.
$Id: Axis-advisory.txt,v 1.7 2003/05/23 20:17:29 carlos Exp $