CVE-2021-3555

CVE-2021-3555 is a vulnerability that affects the Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) server used to stream audio and video content over local networks. The vulnerability is a pre-authentication buffer overflow, which means an attacker with access to the local network can exploit it without requiring any authentication. This could potentially allow remote code execution or denial-of-service attacks. The vulnerability was first reported on May 20, 2021, and affected multiple vendors' products using RTSP servers, including Cisco, Hikvision, Dahua, and others. Mitigations were quickly released by some vendors, but others took longer to release updates. By June 2021, proof-of-concept exploits for the vulnerability had been developed, making it easier for attackers to take advantage of the vulnerability. This vulnerability underscores the importance of timely software updates and patching to prevent potential security breaches. It also highlights the need for secure software design and implementation practices to minimize the risk of vulnerabilities being introduced in the first place. Security researchers and vendors continue to work together to identify and address vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-3555 to help protect against cyber threats.