CVE-2024–44809: Remote Code Execution in Raspberry Pi Camera Project
Discovered by Jacob Masse
Background
The Pi Camera project, a staple in Raspberry Pi workshops, serves as an introductory tool for those new to technology and programming to help them manage a GPIO camera on their Raspberry PI over a web application. It allows users to control camera modules via a simple web interface, making it a practical tool for learning about IoT and home automation.
Despite its educational intent, I’ve identified a significant security flaw — assigned CVE-2024–44809 — in the project maintained by RECANTHA. This Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability exposes users to the risk of attackers executing arbitrary commands on their devices.
Introduction
This blog post covers the discovery and implications of CVE-2024–44809. The vulnerability’s existence in a tool designed for beginners — who are unlikely to have the knowledge to detect or mitigate such risks — makes it especially concerning. My analysis aims to shed light on how this vulnerability occurs and why it’s critical to address it promptly.
Detailed Description of Vulnerability
CVE-2024–44809 stems from improper sanitization of the “position” GET parameter within the tilt.php script of the Pi Camera project. This oversight allows attackers to send crafted input data that includes malicious command sequences, leading to unauthorized command execution under the privileges of the web server user.
Vulnerability Details:
- Type: Remote Code Execution (RCE)
- Affected Component:
tilt.phpscript, specifically the 'position' GET parameter - Attack Type: Remote
- Impact: Execution of arbitrary code on the server
Proof of Concept
To demonstrate the vulnerability, consider this scenario:
- Vulnerable URL:
http://host.com/?position=;whoami - Crafted Input:
;whoami - Expected Output: This command returns the username of the user running the web server, such as “pi” or “root”. Of course, any shell command could be executed (incl. I/O operations) against the system.
Possible Remediation
Addressing this vulnerability is crucial, especially given the target demographic. Here are some recommended steps:
- Input Validation: Implement rigorous validation of all GET parameters to ensure that only expected inputs are processed.
- Code Audits: Conduct regular security reviews of the project’s source code to identify and rectify vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
Conclusion
Finding CVE-2024–44809 shows how important it is to have strong security in software, especially for beginners. As more people join the tech world, making sure that educational tools are safe is crucial. This vulnerability is a clear warning of the risks in popular learning tools. It’s a reminder for developers to improve security and keep users safe as they learn.
Reach Out
Got any questions? I’d be happy to talk! 👋
- Email: contactjacobmasse@gmail.com
Further Reading & Resources
For those interested in furthering their understanding of secure coding practices and how to handle vulnerabilities, the following resources are invaluable:
