CVE-2023-5038

7.5 HIGH

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to cause a denial-of-service condition on affected cameras by accessing a crafted URL. The attack renders the web management interface inaccessible until the device is manually restarted or power-cycled. This affects Hanwha Vision cameras with vulnerable firmware versions.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:
  • Hanwha Vision cameras
Versions: Specific vulnerable versions not detailed in provided references; check manufacturer advisory.
Operating Systems: Embedded camera firmware
Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes
Notes: Affects web management interface; cameras with default configurations are vulnerable.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Persistent DoS requiring physical access to restart camera, potentially disrupting surveillance operations for extended periods.

🟠

Likely Case

Temporary service disruption requiring manual intervention to restore web management interface.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if patched or if cameras are not internet-facing and network access is restricted.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - Unauthenticated attack can be launched remotely without credentials.
🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Attack requires network access but no authentication.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No
Weaponized: LIKELY
Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes
Complexity: LOW

Attack requires only crafted URL access; no authentication or special tools needed.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Check manufacturer firmware updates

Vendor Advisory: https://www.hanwhavision.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Camera-Vulnerability-Report-CVE-2023-5037-5038.pdf

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Download latest firmware from Hanwha Vision support portal. 2. Upload firmware via camera web interface. 3. Reboot camera after installation.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Network segmentation

all

Restrict access to camera web interface to trusted networks only.

Firewall rules

all

Block external access to camera management ports (typically 80/443).

🧯 If You Can't Patch

  • Isolate cameras on separate VLAN with strict access controls.
  • Implement network monitoring for unusual HTTP requests to camera interfaces.

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check firmware version against manufacturer's advisory; test web interface accessibility after suspected attack.

Check Version:

Check camera web interface > System > Information for firmware version.

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify firmware version is updated per advisory; test web interface remains accessible after attempted exploitation.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

  • Repeated HTTP requests to unusual URLs on camera interface
  • Web interface becoming unresponsive

Network Indicators:

  • Unusual HTTP traffic patterns to camera management ports
  • Multiple connection attempts from single source

SIEM Query:

source_ip="camera_ip" AND (http_uri CONTAINS "crafted_pattern" OR http_status="503")

🔗 References

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