CVE-2023-5746
📋 TL;DR
A format string vulnerability in Synology camera firmware allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by controlling format string inputs. This affects Synology BC500 and TC500 camera models running firmware versions before 1.0.5-0185.
💻 Affected Systems
- Synology BC500
- Synology TC500
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote unauthenticated attackers gain full system control, potentially compromising the camera system and network access.
Likely Case
Remote code execution leading to camera compromise, surveillance disruption, or lateral movement into connected networks.
If Mitigated
If properly segmented and patched, impact limited to isolated camera system with no network access.
🎯 Exploit Status
Format string vulnerabilities typically have low exploitation complexity once vector is identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.0.5-0185 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.synology.com/en-global/security/advisory/Synology_SA_23_11
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Log into Synology Surveillance Station. 2. Navigate to Surveillance Station > Camera > Camera List. 3. Select affected camera. 4. Click Edit > Firmware Update. 5. Update to version 1.0.5-0185 or later. 6. Restart camera.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Segmentation
allIsolate cameras on separate VLAN with no internet access.
Access Control
allRestrict network access to camera management interfaces using firewall rules.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable remote access to camera management interfaces
- Implement strict network segmentation and monitor for exploitation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check camera firmware version in Surveillance Station > Camera > Camera List > select camera > check firmware version.Check Version:
No CLI command - check via Surveillance Station web interface.Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm firmware version is 1.0.5-0185 or later in camera settings.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual CGI requests to camera
- Format string patterns in HTTP requests
- Unexpected process execution
Network Indicators:
- Unusual HTTP requests to camera CGI endpoints
- Suspicious payloads containing format string specifiers
SIEM Query:
source="camera_logs" AND (http_uri="*.cgi" OR message="%n%x%s")