A client recently asked us to look into an issue accessing their DVR via web browser. They have an 8 camera system and have been disappointed with the fact that they are unable to access the system through their network other than with the straight closed circuit TV feed.
The DVR system itself (and excuse my ignorance, this is not an area I work in often) appears to be a generic Chinese system that contains an embedded webserver which asks the accessing browser to download and install a small plugin in order to function with the system.
Upon first access a message appears prompting the user:
“This website wants to install the following add-on: ‘WebClient.cab” from “Shenzhenshi PengAnTai Electronics Co. Ltd.”
The installation appears to complete successfully, and once done the user is presented with a login screen.
The login screen functions to some degree. If you enter an invalid username/password combination a dialog appears warning of a “username or password error”. So we know we are getting communication back to the DVR user database.
Entering valid credentials starts a wheel spinning in the middle of the screen, and after about 10 seconds, the browser tab closes and then recovers itself and logs an unhandled exception error in the application log:
DVR Login Crash
Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: (100)
Event ID: 1000
Date: 10/10/2014
Time: 3:06:26 PM
User: N/A
Computer: XXXXXXXX
Description:
Faulting application iexplore.exe, version 8.0.6001.18702, faulting module WebClient.ocx, version 1.1.1.54, fault address 0x00054661.
The installation process places a couple of files (“WebClient.ocx” and “WebClient.inf”) into the “C:WindowsDownloaded Program Files” directory.
This behavior has been consistent across multiple workstations using multiple browser versions (and on top of that the login page does not function at all with newer versions of IE or Chrome). I spent quite a bit of time trying to determine the root of the issue, and also looking for an updated “Webclient.ocx” file from the “Shenzhenshi PengAnTai Electronics Co. Ltd.” people.
Eventually I had to conclude that the embedded files on the DVR web server were either extremely out of date, or possibly corrupt.
I asked the company who provided the DVR if it were possible to install a firmware upgrade (or replacement) on the system itself. This did not appear to be possible (I still am not sure why).
So, as a “shot in the dark” I decided to see if Google could help me locate another DVR system exposed to the Internet so I could obtain an alternate browser plugin.
Through searching with various keyword combinations, I came upon a site called “herdprotect.com” that has a listing of files available on the Internet which have been scanned for viruses. This led me to a “WebClient.exe” file from the good people at “Shenzhenshi PengAnTai Electronics Co. Ltd.” available for download at a random IP address.
I downloaded this file locally (scanned it of course) and it appeared to be an archive. Using 7-zip, I was able to extract the 4 files within.
DVR Plugin File List
The setup and uninstall .cmd files were essentially just regsvr32 registration or un-registration lines for the 2 dll files (with no path listed).
So, I copied the 2 DLL files into C:WindowsSystem32, and removed the original “WebClient.ocx” and “WebClient.inf” files from the “C:WindowsDownloaded Program Files” directory. Next, I manually registered the “npwebclient.dll” and “lib_VoiceEngine_dll.dll” files.
I then re-launched the browser, and to my surprise I had full access to the camera system!
DVR Functioning
In my diagnostics I did come across many forums where people were experiencing the webclient.ocx causing Internet Explorer to crash. Although I consider this more of a band-aid fix than a proper solution (which should be dealt with by the DVR vendor or manufacturer), I am hoping this article can be of use to anyone experiencing this issue that really just needs access to their camera system.
Since i update IE to version 11 and Chrome to 40…i can’t backup my recorders… cand you give me some hints? thanks!
There isn’t too much I can do without logging in and taking a look, but have you tried putting your browser into compatibility mode? I would also check the manufacturer of the unit for a firmware update. They may have evolved the interface to work with the updated browsers.
hi. i had the same problem as yours. Off secure mode in IE helped me.
Thank you for the input. In this particular case IE Enhanced Security was turned off, but Enhanced Security and Protected Mode are both options to consider when testing.
thanks solution worked great on my win 8.1
but not yet on my win 7
That’s odd. The solution itself is geared to the browser, not necessarily the OS. Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 can both install IE 11. What version(s) are you using across the 2 machines?
Hi,
Actually, i open the web client before show empty page , i see your settings and now will be showing username and password, when i enter the user name password after not open the dvr page , and show ( internet explorer has stopped working) (close the program) what is the problem can you tell me how can i solve this problem, many time i try but not solve this problem , please as soon as Help me
Hello Shoaib.
Although there is no way I can guarantee this will work for you, I have placed the exact files I had randomly downloaded for this blog on our web server here.
Download and extract the files and run through these steps:
So, I copied the 2 DLL files into C:WindowsSystem32, and removed the original “WebClient.ocx” and “WebClient.inf” files from the “C:WindowsDownloaded Program Files” directory. Next, I manually registered the “npwebclient.dll” and “lib_VoiceEngine_dll.dll” files.
To register the files you will open a run prompt (start / run) and type:
– regsvr32 C:WindowsSystem32npwebclient.dll
– regsvr32 C:WindowsSystem32lib_VoiceEngine_dll.dll
Good luck!
Actually, i open the web client before show empty page , i see your settings and now will be showing username and password, when i enter the user name password after not open the dvr page , and show ( internet explorer has stopped working) (close the program) what is the problem can you tell me how can i solve this problem, many time i try but not solve this problem , please as soon as Help me
Hello.
Sorry I would need to get my hands on this one. First thing I would try is to reset Internet Explorer on the “Advanced” tab of your Internet options.
thank you for the guide
i tried to download webclient file from that link, unfortunately page not found.
could you share again..
many thanks
Hello.
You are correct, the link is broken. We had moved web servers and this one got overlooked.
Updated link is here.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
casey, thanks for your tips.
It’s working. I can access my cctv agaian from browser.
many thanks
When i try to register the dlls i know for a fact i get the path correct but it still tells me the module failed to load.
Please help to download these files!!!Can’t find them anywhere! YOU are my last hope=(((( Thank you very much in advance
Saw re-link!Thank you=)))
So I am having a similar problem to the one IBNhoor mentioned above. blank blue page with no logon window. I reset IE with no luck. I will say that until recently I had been using Firefox because it was the only one that I could get to work consistently with this plugin. As of March I understand they have made some changes that may be effecting this plugin. Now I cant get any browers to work with it. I did try your method after downloading your version of the files and I get an error when trying to register the files.
The module “C:\Windows\System32\npwebclient.dll” failed to load.
Make sure the binary is stored at the specified path or debug it to check for problems with the binary or dependent .dll files
The specified module could not be found
It’s been a while since I initially got this to work and since then the client that had the unit has replaced it so I don’t have another easy way to test. If I remember correct not all of the DLL files required registration. I would suggest using these files and double-checking that you don’t have multiple copies on your system.
Hey all,
For anyone who pops in here as I did looking for a solution, and where the registry installation failed, what worked for me was uninstalling the latest ESR from Firefox, and then installing the 52.01 version of ESR. Got me back to par with viewing the cameras through my browser. Basically, 52.01 still supports NPAPI plugins, which this webclient is built on.
You can get the 52.01ESR at https://community.webroot.com/t5/Security-Industry-News/Mozilla-Firefox-52-0-1-Final-ESR/td-p/287572
Cheers,
John-Patrick
Thanks John, we appreciate the input!
Hello..
Anybody home?
Can’t find any URL.
Tnx
alexey5758.Lusia@gmail.com
See the Oct. 20, 2016 comment, I re-posted the link there and it’s still valid.