ALPR Cameras in the Crosshairs: A Deep Dive into Critical Cyber Vulnerabilities

In a striking revelation, recent investigations have unearthed critical security vulnerabilities in a popular brand of HD automated license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras. Widely employed by law enforcement and surveillance agencies, these devices were found broadcasting live video feeds and detailed license plate data to the public internet due to improper network configurations. Alarmingly, this sensitive information was accessible to anyone with basic technical skills, raising profound concerns about privacy and security.

Let’s zoom in on how these vulnerabilities were uncovered.

A well-known hardware security researcher led the charge in exposing these vulnerabilities in several sources, including YouTube.

His meticulous analysis highlighted fundamental flaws in how ALPR cameras are configured and operated:

1. Device Acquisition and Analysis
   The researchers obtained an HD camera to perform an in-depth assessment of its technical configuration and operational behavior. This foundational step set the stage for uncovering systemic issues.
2. Network Scanning
   Leveraging advanced search engines like Shodan and Censys, the researcher identified over 170 publicly accessible cameras with improper configurations, exposing them to potential exploitation. Notably, these cameras were discovered in several major US cities, including Nashville and Chicago.
3. Data Extraction and Tool Development
   The researcher developed a bespoke software tool to decode and parse metadata embedded in live video streams. In addition, the researcher was able to extract crucial details such as license plate numbers, vehicle characteristics, and timestamps.
4. Impact Demonstration
   Aggregating the extracted data enabled to illustrate the real-world implications of these vulnerabilities. Integrating this data with mapping technologies, he showcased how easily these systems could be exploited for unauthorized surveillance and real-time vehicle tracking. In a follow up research by another researcher published in LinkedIn, he demonstrated how such data could be compiled into spreadsheets, further simplifying its misuse.

Key Vulnerabilities Uncovered, Jeopardizing Data and Public Safety

Further investigations uncovered several alarming security flaws:

1. Public Exposure
   ALPR cameras broadcast high-definition video feeds and sensitive metadata without requiring any authentication, making them accessible to anyone.
2. Exposed Data
   These vulnerabilities enabled unauthorized access to real-time color and infrared footage. Furthermore, threat actors could access metadata including vehicle make, model, and color, license plate numbers, and timestamps of vehicle detections.
3. Hard-Coded Credentials
   Some devices were found with hard-coded credentials, exposing hidden wireless networks and enabling unauthorized access.
4. Unencrypted Transmission
   Sensitive data, including license plate numbers and timestamps, was transmitted without encryption, leaving it vulnerable to interception.
5. Default Login Credentials
   Many devices retained factory-default credentials, which attackers could exploit to gain administrative access and modify settings.

Connected Mobility Devices Should be Protected As Critical Infrastructure

The manufacturer has acknowledged the security issues, attributing them to customer-modified network configurations. The company reported to be actively collaborating with affected customers to rectify these configurations and plans to release a firmware update to enhance security measures. This step highlights the shared responsibility between manufacturers and users in maintaining secure surveillance systems.

Given the critical impact demonstrated in this case, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has also weighed in, issuing an advisory that highlights vulnerabilities in the company’s license plate readers. These vulnerabilities include authentication bypass and the use of hard-coded credentials, which could enable attackers to tamper with devices or access sensitive data. This underscores the importance of adhering to robust security practices in the deployment of such technologies.

The vulnerabilities extended beyond individual devices, highlighting systemic risks. OSINT experts emphasized these dangers through analyses shared on platforms like LinkedIn. Tools that map ALPR systems globally, demonstrated the potential for both legitimate and malicious applications. While these tools serve valid purposes, they also lower the barrier for attackers to exploit exposed systems for unauthorized data collection and surveillance.

The security flaws in HD ALPR cameras present a significant risk to privacy and safety:

• Unauthorized Tracking: Malicious actors can exploit exposed data for stalking, harassment, or theft.
• Surveillance Exploitation: Open-source tools capable of aggregating and decoding this data enable the creation of unauthorized surveillance networks.
• Erosion of Trust: Such vulnerabilities undermine the credibility of surveillance technologies, jeopardizing their utility in legitimate applications.

The vulnerabilities in these HD ALPR cameras underscore the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures in surveillance technology, especially across the mobility ecosystem. When improperly configured, these devices become conduits for unauthorized data access, posing serious threats to individual privacy and public safety. Addressing these issues requires collaboration between manufacturers, security researchers, and regulatory bodies to ensure secure configurations, encrypted data transmissions, and the elimination of hard-coded credentials.