CVE-2013-2573 – This CVE describes a command injection vulnerab... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2013-2573?

CVE-2013-2573 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). This CVE describes a command injection vulnerability in TP-Link IP cameras that allows attackers to execute arbitrary system commands via the 'ap' parameter in the wireless_mft.cgi script. Attackers can gain full control of affected cameras, potentially compromising the entire network. Organizations and individuals using vulnerable TP-Link IP camera models are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a command injection vulnerability in TP-Link IP cameras that allows attackers to execute arbitrary system commands via the 'ap' parameter in the wireless_mft.cgi script. Attackers can gain full control of affected cameras, potentially compromising the entire network. Organizations and individuals using vulnerable TP-Link IP camera models are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

TP-Link TL-SC 3130
TP-Link TL-SC 3130G
TP-Link TL-SC 3171G
TP-Link TL-SC 4171G

Versions: 1.6.18P12s

Operating Systems: Embedded Linux

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All default configurations are vulnerable. No special configuration required for exploitation.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete compromise of camera device leading to full network access, lateral movement to other systems, installation of persistent malware, and use as botnet node.

🟠

Likely Case

Camera takeover for surveillance disruption, credential theft, or use as pivot point for internal network attacks.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited to camera compromise only if network segmentation prevents lateral movement.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - Directly exploitable via web interface, no authentication required.

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Exploitable from any network position with camera access.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: CONFIRMED

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW

Simple HTTP request with crafted parameter can execute commands. Multiple public exploit scripts available.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Later firmware versions (specific version not documented in CVE)

Vendor Advisory: https://www.tp-link.com/support/download/

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Download latest firmware from TP-Link support site. 2. Access camera web interface. 3. Navigate to System Tools > Firmware Upgrade. 4. Upload firmware file. 5. Wait for automatic reboot.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Network Segmentation

all

Isolate cameras on separate VLAN with strict firewall rules blocking all inbound traffic except from management stations.

Web Interface Restriction

linux

Block access to /cgi-bin/mft/wireless_mft.cgi via web application firewall or reverse proxy.

# Example nginx location block
location ~* /cgi-bin/mft/wireless_mft\.cgi { deny all; }

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Disable camera web interface entirely if not needed for operations
Implement strict network access controls allowing only specific IPs to communicate with cameras

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Attempt to access http://[camera-ip]/cgi-bin/mft/wireless_mft.cgi?ap=$(id) and check for command output in response.

Check Version:

Check camera web interface at System > System Info or via SNMP if enabled.

Verify Fix Applied:

After patching, same test should return error or no command output. Verify firmware version is newer than 1.6.18P12s.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual CGI script access
Commands in URL parameters
Multiple failed access attempts to wireless_mft.cgi

Network Indicators:

HTTP requests to /cgi-bin/mft/wireless_mft.cgi with shell metacharacters in parameters
Outbound connections from cameras to unusual destinations

SIEM Query:

source="camera_logs" AND uri="/cgi-bin/mft/wireless_mft.cgi" AND (query CONTAINS "$" OR query CONTAINS ";" OR query CONTAINS "|")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2013-2573

CVSS v3 Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-78

Published: January 29, 2020

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/60195 Broken Link
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/84574 Third Party Advisory,VDB Entry
https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/cve/CVE-2013-2573 Third Party Advisory,VDB Entry
https://vuldb.com/?id.8912 Permissions Required
https://www.coresecurity.com/advisories/tp-link-IP-cameras-multiple-vulnerabilities Exploit,Patch,Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/60195 Broken Link
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/84574 Third Party Advisory,VDB Entry
https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/cve/CVE-2013-2573 Third Party Advisory,VDB Entry
https://vuldb.com/?id.8912 Permissions Required
https://www.coresecurity.com/advisories/tp-link-IP-cameras-multiple-vulnerabilities Exploit,Patch,Third Party Advisory

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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