CVE-2020-37157: DBPower C300 Camera Credential Disclosure

CVE-2020-37157 Overview

CVE-2020-37157 is a configuration disclosure vulnerability affecting the DBPower C300 HD Camera. This security flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to retrieve sensitive credentials through an unprotected configuration backup endpoint. By accessing the /tmpfs/config_backup.bin resource, attackers can download the device's configuration file and extract hardcoded usernames and passwords, potentially gaining full administrative control over the affected camera.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can remotely access sensitive device credentials without any authentication, enabling complete device compromise and potential lateral movement within the network.

Affected Products

• DBPower C300 HD Camera

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-07 - CVE-2020-37157 published to NVD
• 2026-02-09 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2020-37157

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability falls under CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Function), a classification that highlights the fundamental security design flaw in the affected device. The DBPower C300 HD Camera exposes a sensitive configuration backup endpoint at /tmpfs/config_backup.bin without requiring any form of authentication. This endpoint is intended for administrative backup purposes but has been left completely unprotected in the device's firmware.

The configuration backup file contains hardcoded credentials including the device's administrative username and password. Since the endpoint is accessible over the network without authentication, any attacker who can reach the camera's web interface can download this file and extract the credentials. This is particularly concerning in IoT devices that are often deployed in network perimeter positions or connected to sensitive internal networks.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the absence of authentication controls on the configuration backup endpoint. The device firmware fails to implement proper access control checks before serving the /tmpfs/config_backup.bin file. This represents a critical oversight in the device's security architecture, where a sensitive administrative function was exposed without any protective mechanisms such as authentication requirements, access tokens, or IP-based restrictions.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction. An attacker simply needs to know or discover the IP address of a vulnerable DBPower C300 HD Camera and send an HTTP request to the exposed endpoint. The configuration file can then be downloaded and analyzed offline to extract the stored credentials. Once credentials are obtained, attackers can log into the device's administrative interface, modify camera settings, access live feeds, pivot to other network devices, or use the compromised camera as a foothold for further attacks.

The vulnerability can be exploited by directly accessing the configuration backup endpoint via a web browser or command-line tools. For detailed technical information and proof-of-concept details, refer to the Exploit-DB entry #48095 or the archived blog on DBPower vulnerabilities.

Detection Methods for CVE-2020-37157

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP GET requests targeting /tmpfs/config_backup.bin from external or unauthorized IP addresses
• Unusual download activity from camera devices to unknown destinations
• Authentication attempts using credentials that match those stored in the device configuration file
• Access logs showing requests for backup or configuration files without prior administrative login

Detection Strategies

• Monitor network traffic for HTTP requests containing /tmpfs/config_backup.bin in the URI path
• Implement network-based intrusion detection rules to alert on configuration file download attempts
• Review web server access logs on camera devices for unauthorized endpoint access
• Deploy network segmentation to isolate IoT devices and monitor cross-segment traffic

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable logging on network firewalls and proxies to capture all requests to IoT device endpoints
• Set up alerting for any access to administrative or backup endpoints on camera devices
• Conduct periodic network scans to identify DBPower C300 cameras and assess their exposure
• Monitor for credential stuffing attacks using known default or extracted credentials

How to Mitigate CVE-2020-37157

Immediate Actions Required

• Isolate affected DBPower C300 HD Cameras behind a firewall or network segmentation to prevent external access
• Block access to the /tmpfs/config_backup.bin endpoint using network-level access controls
• Change all device credentials immediately, as they may have already been compromised
• Disable remote access to affected cameras until a permanent fix is available
• Review network logs for evidence of prior exploitation

Patch Information

No vendor patch information is currently available for this vulnerability. The DBPower C300 HD Camera is a consumer-grade IoT device, and vendor support may be limited. Organizations should consider replacing affected devices with cameras from vendors that provide regular security updates and have a demonstrated commitment to security best practices. For additional advisory information, refer to the VulnCheck Advisory for DBPower Camera.

Workarounds

• Deploy cameras behind a VPN or isolated network segment that requires authentication before access
• Use firewall rules to restrict camera access to specific trusted IP addresses only
• Implement a reverse proxy with authentication in front of camera web interfaces
• Consider replacing vulnerable devices with models that have stronger security controls and active vendor support

# Example firewall rule to block access to vulnerable endpoint (iptables)
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -m string --string "/tmpfs/config_backup.bin" --algo bm -j DROP

# Example network segmentation rule to isolate IoT devices
# Create separate VLAN for IoT/camera devices
# Restrict inter-VLAN routing to only required services