CVE-2020-9529 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Firmware developed by Shenzhen Hichip Vision Technology (V6 through V20) used in various Internet of Things devices has a privilege escalation vulnerability allowing local network attackers to reset the administrator password on affected devices.

Understanding CVE-2020-9529

This CVE identifies a critical security flaw in firmware developed by Shenzhen Hichip Vision Technology, impacting a wide range of IoT devices under different brand names.

What is CVE-2020-9529?

The vulnerability in the firmware allows attackers within the local network to reset the administrator password, potentially compromising the security of the device.

The Impact of CVE-2020-9529

The privilege escalation vulnerability poses a significant security risk as it enables unauthorized users to gain administrative access to affected IoT devices, leading to potential misuse or unauthorized control.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-9529

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the firmware allows attackers on the local network to reset the administrator password, granting them unauthorized access to the device.

Affected Systems and Versions

Firmware versions V6 through V20 developed by Shenzhen Hichip Vision Technology
Products marketed under various brand names including Accfly, Alptop, Anlink, Besdersec, and many more

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by leveraging the privilege escalation flaw in the firmware to reset the administrator password, gaining unauthorized access to the device.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting against CVE-2020-9529 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable remote access to the device if not required
Change the default administrator password to a strong, unique one
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware to the latest version with security patches
Implement network segmentation to isolate IoT devices from critical systems

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by the device vendor to address the privilege escalation vulnerability in the firmware.