Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
AVTECH security cameras, NVRs, and DVRs have a flaw in their cloud setup web page that lets a logged-in user run any command on the device with full root control. Attackers have actively targeted these devices to install Linux malware and recruit them into botnets, so any AVTECH gear reachable from the internet is a real business risk.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority remediation for any business operating AVTECH cameras or recorders, particularly if these devices are reachable from the internet or share networks with sensitive systems. Compromise leads to full device takeover and a credible pivot point into the broader environment.
Technical view
CloudSetup.cgi passes the `exefile` parameter into a system shell call without sanitization (CWE-78), enabling authenticated OS command injection that runs as root. CVSS 4.0 scores it 8.7 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L). Exploit code is public on Exploit-DB (40500), and Trend Micro and SonicWall have documented in-the-wild exploitation. AVTECH has not published a definitive affected version range; SEARCH-LAB indicates remediation occurred in early 2017.
Likely exposure
Internet-exposed AVTECH IP cameras, NVRs, and DVRs running firmware that ships CloudSetup.cgi, especially older or never-updated units. Default or weak credentials on these appliances substantially raise exposure because an authenticated session is the only barrier to root command execution.
Exploitation context
Not in CISA KEV, but Trend Micro and SonicWall have documented active exploitation of AVTECH CGI flaws by Linux malware and botnets. A public exploit module exists on Exploit-DB (40500) and VulnCheck has issued its own advisory. Authentication is required, but weak or default device credentials make that barrier easy to clear.
Researcher notes
Affected version range is undefined in CVE data; AVTECH has not enumerated impacted models or firmware. SEARCH-LAB's archived disclosure suggests early-2017 remediation, but verify per-device. CWE-78 in CloudSetup.cgi `exefile` parameter; CVSS 4.0 vector indicates network-reachable, low-complexity, low-privilege exploitation with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact on the device scope.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory all AVTECH IP cameras, NVRs, and DVRs and confirm firmware level with the vendor.
- Remove direct internet exposure of device management interfaces; place behind VPN or ACL.
- Replace default and shared device credentials with strong, unique passwords.
- Apply the latest AVTECH firmware and follow vendor guidance, since no fixed version is named in sources.
- Segment camera and DVR networks from corporate, OT, and credential stores to limit blast radius.
- Monitor outbound traffic from these devices for botnet C2 indicators referenced by Trend Micro and SonicWall.
Validation and detection
- Identify devices that expose CloudSetup.cgi via authenticated configuration review or vendor documentation.
- Check device firmware build dates against the SEARCH-LAB early-2017 remediation window.
- Review authentication logs for unexpected logins preceding configuration or process changes.
- Hunt for known AVTECH-targeting malware indicators published by Trend Micro and SonicWall.
- Confirm management interfaces are not reachable from the public internet using an external scan.
- Validate that credential rotation and network segmentation controls are enforced on each device.
Public sources used
- CVE Program Record - CVE-2016-15047
- CVE List V5 JSON
- SEARCH-LAB AVTech Devices Multiple Vulnerabilities Advisory
- SEARCH-LAB Vulnerability Matrix
- Exploit-DB 40500
- Trend Micro - New Linux Malware Exploits CGI Vulnerability
- SonicWall - Attackers Actively Targeting Vulnerable AVTECH Devices
- VulnCheck Advisory - AVTECH CloudSetup.cgi Auth Command Injection
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-78: Command execution behavior lookup
Command injection weaknesses can lead defenders to review execution techniques and command interpreter telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCredential and access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references authentication or credential exposure, so valid-account and credential-access review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2016-15047 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8.7 (4.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N——Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 4.0 score
8.7HighVector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240810225729/https://www.search-lab.hu/advisories/126-AVTech-devices-multiple-vulnerabilitiesCVE reference · technical-description
- https://web.archive.org/web/20170420145806/http://www.search-lab.hu/media/vulnerability_matrix.txtCVE reference · technical-description
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40500CVE reference · exploit
- https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/17/c/new-linux-malware-exploits-cgi-vulnerability.htmlCVE reference · third-party-advisory
- https://www.sonicwall.com/blog/attackers-actively-targeting-vulnerable-avtech-devicesCVE reference · third-party-advisory
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/avtech-cloudsetup-cgi-auth-command-injectionCVE reference · third-party-advisory
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.