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

> Improper authentication in Hikvision cameras allows attackers to escalate privileges and access sensitive information.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 5 Mar 2026 (CISA KEV)
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 6 May 2017
- **Updated:** 6 Mar 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-82r9-7ww3-jr86

## What is CVE-2017-7921?

CVE-2017-7921 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Hikvision Cameras, published on 6 May 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### 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.

Weakness: CWE-287 (Improper Authentication)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-7921?

It affects 58 products.


Products: Hikvision Ds-2cd2032-I Firmware, Hikvision Ds-2cd2112-I Firmware, Hikvision Ds-2cd2132-I Firmware, Hikvision Ds-2cd2212-I5 Firmware, Hikvision Ds-2cd2232-I5 Firmware, Hikvision Ds-2cd2312-I Firmware, Hikvision Ds-2cd2332-I Firmware, Hikvision Ds-2cd2412f-I\(w\) Firmware, Hikvision Ds-2cd2432f-I\(w\) Firmware, Hikvision Ds-2cd2512f-I\(s\) Firmware, Hikvision Ds-2cd2532f-I\(s\) Firmware, Hikvision Ds-2cd2612f-I\(s\) Firmware, Hikvision Ds-2cd2632f-I\(s\) Firmware, Hikvision Ds-2cd2712f-I\(s\) Firmware, Hikvision Ds-2cd2732f-I\(s\) Firmware, Hikvision Ds-2cd2t32-I3 Firmware, Hikvision Ds-2cd2t32-I5 Firmware, Hikvision Ds-2cd2t32-I8 Firmware, Hikvision Ds-2cd4012f-\(A\) Firmware, Hikvision Ds-2cd4012f-\(P\) Firmware and 38 more.

## How do I fix CVE-2017-7921?

No fix has been published for CVE-2017-7921 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 26 Mar 2026.

## Is CVE-2017-7921 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2017-7921 in the wild since at least 5 Mar 2026.

Public exploit code:

- This python file will decrypt the configurationFile used by hikvision cameras vulnerable to CVE-2017-7921. (github_poc): https://github.com/chrisjd20/hikvision_CVE-2017-7921_auth_bypass_config_decryptor
- Hikvision camera CVE-2017-7921-EXP (github_poc): https://github.com/JrDw0/CVE-2017-7921-EXP
- 海康威视未授权访问检测poc及口令爆破 (github_poc): https://github.com/BurnyMcDull/CVE-2017-7921
- This tool is a modern evolution of older PoCs like those for CVE-2017-7921 and ICSA-17-124-01, updated for 2025 with live console output, threading for speed, and honeypot filtering (skips devices with >12 open ports). It's built for red teamers, bug bounty hunters, and security researchers to identify (github_poc): https://github.com/voidsshadows/Hikvision-City-Hunter
- Hikvision IP camera access bypass exploit, developed by golang.  (github_poc): https://github.com/MisakaMikato/cve-2017-7921-golang
- Exploit for CVE-2017-7921, targeting the improper authentication vulnerability affecting Hikvision camera systems. (github_poc): https://github.com/Th3Purge/CVE-2017-7921-Exploit

## Other vulnerabilities in Hikvision Cameras

- [CVE-2017-7923](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-7923/): Hardcoded credentials in Hikvision Cameras (high 8.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2017-7921 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2017-7921 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Hikvision Cameras, published on 6 May 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2017-7921 in the wild since at least 5 Mar 2026.

Affected product: Hikvision Cameras. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-7921/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-7921/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-7921
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-7921
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2017-7921

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-7921/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.