CVE-2017-8226 – This CVE involves hardcoded default credentials... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2017-8226?

CVE-2017-8226 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). This CVE involves hardcoded default credentials in Amcrest IPM-721S camera firmware that can be extracted through firmware reverse engineering. Attackers can gain administrative access to affected devices, potentially compromising the entire camera system. All devices running the vulnerable firmware version are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE involves hardcoded default credentials in Amcrest IPM-721S camera firmware that can be extracted through firmware reverse engineering. Attackers can gain administrative access to affected devices, potentially compromising the entire camera system. All devices running the vulnerable firmware version are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Amcrest IPM-721S

Versions: V2.420.AC00.16.R.20160909

Operating Systems: Embedded Linux

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: The vulnerability exists in the default firmware configuration and cannot be mitigated without firmware update or credential changes.

📦 What is this software?

Ipm 721s Firmware by Amcrest

View all CVEs affecting Ipm 721s Firmware →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete device takeover leading to video surveillance compromise, lateral movement into connected networks, and persistent backdoor installation.

🟠

Likely Case

Unauthorized access to camera feeds, device configuration changes, and potential use as a foothold for further attacks.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if devices are isolated from critical networks and credentials are changed immediately.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - IoT cameras are often exposed to the internet, making them prime targets for credential-based attacks.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal attackers or compromised internal systems could exploit this, but requires network access.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: CONFIRMED

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires firmware extraction and reverse engineering, but tools and documentation are publicly available.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Unknown

Vendor Advisory: No official vendor advisory found

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

Check Amcrest support for firmware updates. If available, download and apply the latest firmware through the device web interface.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Change Default Credentials

all

Immediately change all default credentials on affected devices

Login to device web interface > Configuration > User Management > Change admin password

Network Segmentation

all

Isolate cameras on separate VLANs with strict firewall rules

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Change all default credentials immediately and enforce strong password policies
Implement network segmentation to isolate cameras from critical systems

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check firmware version in device web interface: System > Information > Software Version

Check Version:

Check via web interface or SSH if enabled: cat /proc/version

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify firmware version is updated beyond V2.420.AC00.16.R.20160909 and default credentials are changed

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Failed login attempts followed by successful admin login
Configuration file modifications in /mnt/mtd/Config/

Network Indicators:

Unusual outbound connections from camera devices
SSH/Telnet connections to camera from unauthorized sources

SIEM Query:

source="camera_logs" (event="login_success" AND user="admin") OR (event="config_change" AND path="/mnt/mtd/Config/Account1")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2017-8226

CVSS v3 Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-798

Published: July 3, 2019

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/153224/Amcrest-IPM-721S-Credential-Disclosure-Privilege-Escalation.html Third Party Advisory,VDB Entry
https://github.com/ethanhunnt/IoT_vulnerabilities/blob/master/Amcrest_sec_issues.pdf Exploit,Third Party Advisory
https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Jun/8 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/153224/Amcrest-IPM-721S-Credential-Disclosure-Privilege-Escalation.html Third Party Advisory,VDB Entry
https://github.com/ethanhunnt/IoT_vulnerabilities/blob/master/Amcrest_sec_issues.pdf Exploit,Third Party Advisory
https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Jun/8 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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