Vulnerability record · CVE-2017-8229 · published 3 July 2019
CVE-2017-8229: Amcrest IPM-721S camera exposes admin credentials via unauthenticated file download
Amcrest · Ipm 721s Firmware
Amcrest IPM-721S firmware V2.420.AC00.16.R.20160909 maps the /current_config path to the on-device /mnt/mtd/Config directory, which holds account and credential files such as Sha1Account1. Requesting http://[camera-IP]/current_config/Sha1Account1 returns those files without any authentication, disclosing administrative credentials. Because the credentials are administrative, exposure gives full control of the camera.
Description
Amcrest IPM-721S V2.420.AC00.16.R.20160909 devices allow an unauthenticated attacker to download the administrative credentials. If the firmware version V2.420.AC00.16.R 9/9/2016 is dissected using binwalk tool, one obtains a _user-x.squashfs.img.extracted archive which contains the filesystem set up on the device that many of the binaries in the /usr folder. The binary "sonia" is the one that has the vulnerable function that sets up the default credentials on the device. If one opens this binary in IDA-pro one will notice that this follows a ARM little endian format. The function sub_436D6 in IDA pro is identified to be setting up the configuration for the device. If one scrolls to the address 0x000437C2 then one can see that /current_config is being set as an ALIAS for /mnt/mtd/Config folder on the device. If one TELNETs into the device and navigates to /mnt/mtd/Config folder, one can observe that it contains various files such as Account1, Account2, SHAACcount1, etc. This means that if one navigates to http://[IPofcamera]/current_config/Sha1Account1 then one should be able to view the content of the files. The security researchers assumed that this was only possible only after authentication to the device. However, when unauthenticated access tests were performed for the same URL as provided above, it was observed that the device file could be downloaded without any authentication.
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Automated analysis
critical priorityUnauthenticated network access to administrative credentials with CVSS 9.8 and very high EPSS makes full device compromise likely and severe.
What it is
Amcrest IPM-721S firmware V2.420.AC00.16.R.20160909 maps the /current_config path to the on-device /mnt/mtd/Config directory, which holds account and credential files such as Sha1Account1. Requesting http://[camera-IP]/current_config/Sha1Account1 returns those files without any authentication, disclosing administrative credentials. Because the credentials are administrative, exposure gives full control of the camera.
Impact
An attacker obtains the device's administrative credentials and can log in with full privileges, taking over the camera and its configuration. The CVSS vector rates confidentiality, integrity and availability impact all High.
Attack surface
Reachable over the network via HTTP GET to the /current_config/ path on the camera; the CVSS vector (AV:N/PR:N/UI:N) and the description confirm no authentication and no user interaction are required.
Exploitation
Not listed in CISA KEV, but EPSS is very high (0.74243, 99.5th percentile) and references are tagged Exploit, indicating public exploit material exists. No ransomware group use is documented.
What to do
- Apply the vendor firmware update for the IPM-721S if one is available; the record does not name a fixed version, so confirm with Amcrest.
- If no patch exists, isolate cameras on a segmented VLAN with no internet exposure and restrict management access to trusted hosts.
- Block or filter external and untrusted access to the /current_config/ URI path at the network or reverse-proxy layer.
- Change default and administrative credentials and rotate any credentials that may have been exposed.
- Disable unnecessary services such as TELNET on the device.
Detection
- Monitor web server or proxy logs for GET requests to /current_config/ paths, especially Sha1Account1 and similar account files.
- Alert on access to /current_config/ from IPs outside the trusted management network.
- Watch for successful administrative logins from unexpected source addresses or at unusual times.
- Review camera configuration changes and new account creation for signs of unauthorized access.
This assessment is produced automatically and is not human-reviewed. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting on it.
Affected products
1 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.
References
| Link | Tags |
|---|---|
| http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/153224/Amcrest-IPM-721S-Credential-Disclosure-Privilege-Escalation.html | Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry |
| https://github.com/ethanhunnt/IoT_vulnerabilities/blob/master/Amcrest_sec_issues.pdf | ExploitThird Party Advisory |
| https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Jun/8 | Mailing ListThird Party Advisory |
| http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/153224/Amcrest-IPM-721S-Credential-Disclosure-Privilege-Escalation.html | Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry |
| https://github.com/ethanhunnt/IoT_vulnerabilities/blob/master/Amcrest_sec_issues.pdf | ExploitThird Party Advisory |
| https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Jun/8 | Mailing ListThird Party Advisory |
Track CVE-2017-8229 inside VULONE
Watch it alongside the ransomware crews, C2 infrastructure and forum chatter that reference it, query it through the API and pull it into your SIEM over TAXII.
Related vulnerabilities
Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.
Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2017-8229), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-26). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.
