CVE-2019-25465: Hisilicon HiIpcam Path Traversal Flaw

CVE-2019-25465 Overview

CVE-2019-25465 is a directory traversal vulnerability affecting Hisilicon HiIpcam V100R003 IP camera devices. This security flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to access sensitive configuration files by exploiting directory listing functionality in the cgi-bin directory. Attackers can request the getadslattr.cgi endpoint to retrieve ADSL credentials and network configuration parameters including usernames, passwords, and DNS settings.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated remote attackers can extract sensitive credentials and network configuration data from vulnerable IP cameras, potentially leading to complete device compromise and network infiltration.

Affected Products

• Hisilicon HiIpcam V100R003

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-03-11 - CVE CVE-2019-25465 published to NVD
• 2026-03-12 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2019-25465

Vulnerability Analysis

This directory traversal vulnerability stems from improper access controls on the web interface of Hisilicon HiIpcam V100R003 devices. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-260 (Password in Configuration File), indicating that the core security issue involves sensitive credentials being stored in accessible configuration files without adequate protection mechanisms.

The attack can be executed remotely over the network without requiring any authentication or user interaction. Upon successful exploitation, attackers gain access to highly sensitive information including ADSL credentials, network usernames and passwords, and DNS configuration settings. This information disclosure can serve as a stepping stone for further attacks against the device or the broader network infrastructure.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient access control implementation on the CGI scripts within the device's web interface. Specifically, the cgi-bin directory exposes directory listing functionality that should be restricted. The getadslattr.cgi endpoint can be accessed without authentication, allowing any network-accessible attacker to retrieve configuration files containing plaintext credentials and sensitive network parameters.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for CVE-2019-25465 is network-based and requires no authentication or privileges. An attacker with network access to the vulnerable device can directly request the exposed CGI endpoint to extract sensitive configuration data.

The exploitation process involves accessing the cgi-bin directory listing on the target device, identifying the getadslattr.cgi endpoint, and making an unauthenticated HTTP request to retrieve ADSL and network configuration parameters. The response contains plaintext credentials and DNS settings that can be leveraged for further attacks. For detailed technical information, refer to the Exploit-DB #47405 entry and the VulnCheck Advisory on HiSilicon.

Detection Methods for CVE-2019-25465

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests targeting /cgi-bin/getadslattr.cgi from external or unauthorized IP addresses
• Unusual access patterns to the cgi-bin directory, particularly directory listing requests
• Multiple sequential requests to CGI endpoints from the same source without proper authentication
• Network traffic containing ADSL credentials or configuration data in cleartext responses

Detection Strategies

• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block directory traversal patterns targeting cgi-bin paths
• Configure intrusion detection systems (IDS) to alert on unauthenticated access attempts to sensitive CGI endpoints
• Monitor HTTP access logs for requests containing getadslattr.cgi or similar configuration-exposing endpoints
• Deploy network monitoring to identify cleartext credential exposure in HTTP responses

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging on all IP camera devices and forward logs to a centralized SIEM platform
• Establish baseline network behavior for IoT devices and alert on anomalous access patterns
• Regularly audit network traffic to and from IP camera devices for signs of credential theft
• Implement network segmentation monitoring to detect lateral movement attempts following credential exposure

How to Mitigate CVE-2019-25465

Immediate Actions Required

• Isolate affected Hisilicon HiIpcam V100R003 devices from direct internet access immediately
• Place vulnerable devices behind a firewall or VPN to restrict unauthorized network access
• Change all credentials (ADSL, network, admin) on potentially compromised devices
• Conduct a security audit to determine if credentials have been exposed or devices have been accessed

Patch Information

No vendor patch information is currently available for this vulnerability. Organizations should contact Hisilicon directly for firmware update availability. In the absence of an official patch, implementing network-level mitigations and access controls is essential. Additional technical details and advisories can be found at Exploit-DB #47405 and the VulnCheck Advisory on HiSilicon.

Workarounds

• Restrict network access to the device's web interface using firewall rules or ACLs to allow only trusted management IPs
• Deploy the device on an isolated VLAN separate from production networks to limit exposure
• Implement a reverse proxy with authentication in front of the device's web interface
• Consider replacing vulnerable devices with cameras from vendors that provide active security support

# Configuration example - Restrict access using iptables
# Block external access to the camera's web interface
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -s 192.168.1.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP

# Alternative: Place device on isolated VLAN (switch configuration)
# Configure VLAN 100 for IoT devices with no routing to production networks