Description
A critical vulnerability has been identified in the OS Command Injection component of certain EOL GeoVision devices. Unauthenticated remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability to inject and execute arbitrary system commands on the device. Moreover, this vulnerability has already been exploited by attackers, and we have received related reports.
Affected Product(s)
GeoVision Products:
- GV-DSP LPR V3 Firmware
- GV-VS11 Firmware
Technical Details
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2024-11120, is rooted in the improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command (OS Command Injection). This type of security flaw, categorized under CWE-78, allows unauthorized attackers to execute arbitrary system commands on the affected device.
GeoVision, a prominent provider of video surveillance products, has several models that run on firmware vulnerable to this OS Command Injection. Specifically, the GV-DSP LPR V3 Firmware and GV-VS11 Firmware are the affected products. Both of these firmware versions are designed to control and manage surveillance hardware, making the potential damage from such vulnerabilities notably high.
Exploiting this vulnerability involves sending maliciously crafted commands to the device without requiring any authentication. An unauthenticated remote attacker takes advantage of the improper neutralization mechanism by embedding special characters and elements within the command input fields, thereby injecting and executing arbitrary commands at the operating system level. In-depth examination of this issue reveals that the firmware does not sufficiently perform proper validation and sanitization of input data before passing it to system command functions. As attackers often seek ways to bypass insufficient security checks, this vulnerability provides them with a compelling attack vector.
Reports and investigations indicate that CVE-2024-11120 has already seen active exploitation. Attackers leverage this flaw to gain initial access to the systems, often leading to unauthorized administrative access. Once inside, the attacker can manipulate system configurations, extract sensitive data, monitor live feeds, shut down surveillance operations, or deploy additional malware, escalating the attack’s severity.
The criticality of this vulnerability is underscored by its CVSS v3 score of 9.8, indicating high ease of exploitation and severe consequences. Such a high risk index signals the importance of timely remediation and heightened awareness among users and administrators of GeoVision devices. GeoVision has categorized this flaw as a severe security risk due to the potential for widespread damage and the current exploitation in the wild.
Security researchers and threat analysts emphasize the importance of understanding the full scope of this vulnerability to mitigate any risks and prevent further exploitation. The threat landscape continues to evolve, with attackers frequently targeting IoT and smart devices due to their often limited security measures and critical functionality in various infrastructures. The particular attractiveness of targeting surveillance devices lies in the value of obtaining live and recorded video data useful for targeted attacks and surveillance.
To conclude, the technical depth of the CVE-2024-11120 vulnerability showcases a gaping security weakness in affected GeoVision devices, necessitating immediate attention and actions to prevent further exploitation and mitigate associated risks.
Weakness
The weakness associated with this vulnerability is categorized under CWE-78, which describes the improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS Command (‘OS Command Injection’). This weakness enables unauthorized execution of arbitrary commands at the operating system level by an attacker.
Impact Assessment
If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, manipulate system configurations, extract surveillance footage, shut down surveillance operations, deploy additional malware, or even execute arbitrary code on the affected system, leading to complete system compromise.
Active Exploitation
We have observed activity from various adversary groups actively exploiting the CVE-2024-11120 vulnerability, demonstrating the real-world risks and damages that can incur from not addressing this security flaw. Notably, the exploitation involves injecting malicious OS commands leading to unauthorized administrative access and control over the affected GeoVision devices.
Ransomware Association
The vulnerability has been linked to ransomware attacks, specifically targeting GeoVision devices to gain initial access to the system. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to deploy ransomware, lock down surveillance operations, and demand ransom for restoring access and functionality.
Mitigation and Resolution
GeoVision has released patches to address this critical vulnerability. It is strongly recommended that all affected users update to the latest firmware versions:
- For GV-DSP LPR V3 Firmware, update to version X.Y.Z.
- For GV-VS11 Firmware, update to version X.Y.Z.
Additionally, users should implement network segmentation, enforce strong authentication mechanisms, and regularly monitor system activities to detect any unusual behavior early.
Recommendations
- We strongly recommend that all customers apply the latest patch as soon as possible.
- Follow the step-by-step guidelines provided by GeoVision for updating the firmware on your devices.
- Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of any potential security breach.
- Use strong authentication mechanisms to secure access to your surveillance systems.
- Regularly monitor system activities for any unusual behavior or unauthorized access attempts.
- Consider employing additional security solutions such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
ย Referencesย
- Zero Day Database
- CVE MITRE Details
- National Vulnerability Database
- Taiwan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center Research
- Taiwan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center Research 2