Ethical Hacking of a Smart IoT Camera : A Penetration Test on D-Link DCS 8515-LH Smart Camera

Abstract: The trending usage of IoT devices raises serious security concerns. IoT devices have complete access to users’ network environments. In the eyes of hackers, the value of IoT devices is exceptionally high. From minor disturbances to major crimes, all could happen in no time with compromised IoT devices. As the IoT devices collects sensitive data, properly protect users’ privacy is also a crucial aspect for IoT devices. Thus, IoT devices need to be secure enough against modern cyber-attacks. In this work, a smart camera DCS-8515LH from D-Link is under penetration tests. Threat modeling is first performed as an analysis of the IoT system following by a dozen cyber attacks targeting this smart camera. The penetration tests provide valuable information that can reveal the smart camera’s vulnerability and weakness, such as security misconfiguration, vulnerability to DoS attacks. The smart camera is discovered to be vulnerable to DoS attacks and exploits on the zero-configuration protocol. Several weaknesses which violate the users’ privacy exist in the mobile application and Android storage system. This work evaluated all the vulnerabilities and weaknesses discovered from a security aspect. This report exposes attacks that are effective on the smart camera and also serves as a fundamental basis for future penetration tests on this smart camera.