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

Should you act?

Exploited: patch now if you run it

CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.

• Yes, if you run Hikvision Multiple Products. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-03-05, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2026-03-26; treat that as the outer limit, not the target.
• EPSS 100.0%, percentile 100.0: FIRST’s model estimates a 100.0% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 100.0% of all scored CVEs (very high). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
• Remotely reachable with no login and no user interaction. If the vulnerable service is exposed to the internet, prioritize it.

What it is

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.

CISA’s summary

Multiple Hikvision products contain an improper authentication vulnerability that could allow a malicious user to escalate privileges on the system and gain access to sensitive information.

Weakness type: CWE-287.

Product: Hikvision Multiple Products · Assigned by: icscert · Published: 2017-05-06

Affected and fixed versions

Severity scores

• Attack vector: network (remotely reachable)
• Attack complexity: low
• Privileges required: none (no login)
• User interaction: none
• Scope: unchanged

CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.

Exploitation and urgency

• CISA KEV: added 2026-03-05; federal due date 2026-03-26. Known ransomware use: Unknown.
• CISA 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.
• CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active, automatable yes, technical impact total.
• FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 100.00% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 100.0.

Timeline

• 2017-05-06 — CVE record published by icscert
• 2026-03-05 — Added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
• 2026-03-06 — CVE record last updated
• 2026-03-26 — CISA remediation deadline for US federal agencies

Sources and references

Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.

Vendor and project advisories, patches

1. Listed in CISA KEV notes (hikvision.com) hikvision.com

Vulnerability records

1. CVE.org record CVE-2017-7921 cve.org
2. NVD entry CVE-2017-7921 nvd.nist.gov

Government

1. CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entry cisa.gov

Other references from the CVE record and advisory

1. ics-cert.us-cert.gov ics-cert.us-cert.gov
2. 98313 securityfocus.com
3. ghostbin.com ghostbin.com
4. hikvision.com hikvision.com
5. hikvision.com hikvision.com
6. hikvision.com hikvision.com

All exploited Hikvision vulnerabilities · Today’s Security Digest