CVE-2017-7921: Hikvision Multiple Products Improper Authentication Vulnerability

This vulnerability affects multiple Hikvision products and is caused by improper authentication. It can allow an attacker to escalate privileges and obtain access to sensitive information stored or processed by the devices. Organizations that rely on these products for surveillance or security functions should address the issue because successful exploitation can expose operational data and connected networks.

How it works

The weakness is identified as CWE-287, improper authentication. An attacker can abuse the flaw to bypass intended access controls and gain elevated privileges on the affected system.

Technical readers should note that the vulnerability class centers on missing or insufficient verification of user identity before granting higher-level access. No specific exploit mechanics are documented in the available facts, so any detailed reproduction steps must be confirmed against the vendor advisory.

Am I affected? How to find it in your systems

Hikvision products are typically deployed in video surveillance, network video recording, and physical security environments. Begin by creating an inventory of all Hikvision-branded hardware and software present on your networks.

• Perform network discovery scans and review asset management records for devices from this vendor.
• Check management interfaces, firmware versions, and configuration settings on each identified system.
• Compare results against the vendor advisory, because exact affected versions and configurations are not listed in the public summary provided here.
• Examine authentication-related logs for anomalies such as unexpected privilege changes or access attempts that bypass normal controls.

How to remediate

Apply the vendor update named in the official advisory as the primary remediation step. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and verification on each affected product.

Where cloud services are involved, implement applicable BOD 22-01 guidance. After patching, review and tighten authentication settings across the environment to reduce the chance of similar weaknesses in this product class.

If you can't patch immediately

When an immediate update is not feasible, apply compensating controls to limit exposure until remediation can be completed.

• Segment affected devices from critical internal networks using firewalls or access control lists.
• Disable the product entirely if no suitable mitigations are available, following CISA direction.
• Monitor network traffic and system logs for signs of unauthorized authentication attempts or privilege escalation.
• Apply virtual patching or web application firewall rules where the affected functionality can be inspected and filtered.

If your data may have been exposed

Actively exploited vulnerabilities of this type can result in unauthorized access to sensitive information. You can run a free exposure scan of your email addresses to check against known breach data.