3 Way CCTV Hack

3Ways to Hack CCTV Cameras (and How to Prevent It from Happening to You)
Though advances have been made in recent years, many CCTV cameras remain
troublingly vulnerable to attack. Malicious actors have developed a wide range of
techniques to circumvent security protocols and gain access to video surveillance
systems.
Some use very simple exploits (that take mere minutes), while others prefer more
sophisticated intrusions (that infiltrate even hardened systems). Though their
methods may vary, talented hackers can make their way into your home security or
enterprise surveillance network. Once inside, they can use remote access to watch
the world through your cameras—or potentially even take control of them.
The problem created embarrassing headlines (the hashtag #hakvision circulated on
social channels). And ICS-Cert, an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security, characterized the vulnerability as “remotely exploitable” with a “low
skill level to exploit.”
Despite this incident raising overall awareness, many organizations are still
woefully behind when it comes to safeguarding their camera systems. To better
prepare, all enterprises should understand the following three methods that are
among the most commonly used by criminals to gain unauthorized access to CCTV
cameras.
In theory, this should be difficult and IP security should protect network data,
but the shocking reality is that these passwords are often identical to the default
factory settings provided by the manufacturer. In the case of the Hikvision hack,
it was known to be “12345” with a username of “admin.”
Changing default passwords for a new security camera system should be a no-brainer
in this day and age. So the lesson here is to not overlook the small details. All
the firewalls and hardened network protocols in the world won’t help if an
unauthorized user can simply log in with a commonly-used or factory-set password to
gain remote access to indoor outdoor surveillance.
Also watch : What is data breach & how to stay safe
Hack Method #2: Find the User ID
When CCTV cameras are harder to breach, malicious actors can instead look for the
user ID. This was easy to find in a cookie value for Hikvision. Hackers could then
reset the account to take over and have full run of the device, its hard drives,
and perhaps the wireless security system as a whole.
Once this became common knowledge, the Chinese company recognized and patched the
flaw. The patch was then included in subsequent firmware updates for all its
security cameras with known vulnerabilities. Hikvision stated publicly that the
code was a holdover from the testing phase, which developers neglected to remove
before launch.
Despite all the press in the security community, many operators never bother to
install the latest firmware onto their surveillance cameras. So, this flaw is an
issue that even novice hackers will likely continue to leverage.
Understanding the Threat
Hikvision is not alone, but its failings showed that weak spots exist in even some
of the most widely-used indoor and outdoor surveillance cameras on the market. This
doesn’t mean that enterprises should simply change the model of their wireless
security camera and expect to be protected.
Constant vigilance mixed with security intelligence is a powerful combination. All
organizations should look to bolster these critical components—both internally, and
when it comes to partnering with companies worthy of their trust. By working with
vendors that put security at the top of their agenda, you can rest easier knowing
that both the indoor and outdoor security cameras in your facilities are protected
against evolving threats.
Many organizations are beginning to recognize that traditional CCTV technology
simply isn’t built for this new, connected era. Forward-thinking companies are
increasingly looking for revolutionary solutions to strengthen the safety and
productivity of their operations. Using the latest technology standards to unlock
the potential of computer vision, modern video security providers will be the ones
that help their customers solve real-world business problems—today and in the
future.

3 Way CCTV Hack

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3Ways to Hack CCTV Cameras (and How to Prevent It from Happening to You)

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