CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2017-7921Exploited in the wildNVD status: Analyzed

Hikvision Multiple Products Improper Authentication

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2017-7921 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in Hikvision Cameras, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Hikvision Cameras versions: Hikvision Cameras. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on March 5, 2026, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.

Patch now

Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.

What to do

  1. Check which version of Hikvision Cameras you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. CISA's required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
  3. Read the advisory on hikvision.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  4. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Hikvision CamerasHikvision CamerasHikvision CamerasNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd2032-i FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd2112-i FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd2132-i FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd2212-i5 FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd2232-i5 FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd2312-i FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd2332-i FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd2412f-i(w) FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd2432f-i(w) FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd2512f-i(s) FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd2532f-i(s) FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd2612f-i(s) FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd2632f-i(s) FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd2712f-i(s) FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd2732f-i(s) FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd2t32-i3 FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd2t32-i5 FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd2t32-i8 FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd4012f-(a) FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd4012f-(p) FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd4012f-(w) FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd4012fwd-(a) FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd4012fwd-(p) FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HikvisionDs-2cd4012fwd-(w) FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE; 34 further products are omitted here. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.19.8CriticalNVD
CVSS 3.19.8CriticalCISA (ADP)
CVSS 2.07.5HighNVD

Official description

An Improper Authentication issue was discovered in Hikvision DS-2CD2xx2F-I Series V5.2.0 build 140721 to V5.4.0 build 160530, DS-2CD2xx0F-I Series V5.2.0 build 140721 to V5.4.0 Build 160401, DS-2CD2xx2FWD Series V5.3.1 build 150410 to V5.4.4 Build 161125, DS-2CD4x2xFWD Series V5.2.0 build 140721 to V5.4.0 Build 160414, DS-2CD4xx5 Series V5.2.0 build 140721 to V5.4.0 Build 160421, DS-2DFx Series V5.2.0 build 140805 to V5.4.5 Build 160928, and DS-2CD63xx Series V5.0.9 build 140305 to V5.3.5 Build 160106 devices. The improper authentication vulnerability occurs when an application does not adequately or correctly authenticate users. This may allow a malicious user to escalate his or her privileges on the system and gain access to sensitive information.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication

When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.

More Improper Authentication vulnerabilities (CWE-287)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
  3. Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
  4. Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
  5. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities

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