Ethical Hacking News
Unpatched Edimax IP cameras have been exposed to malicious botnet attacks due to a critical vulnerability that allows attackers to gain remote code execution and take control of the device.
Unpatched Edimax IP cameras are vulnerable to remote code execution due to OS command injection (CVE-2025-1316) with a CVSS score of 9.3. The Edimax IC-7100, released in 2011 and no longer supported, is particularly targeted by botnet attackers. Compromised devices are used for DDoS attacks, proxying malicious traffic, or pivoting to other devices on the same network. Users should minimize internet exposure, place behind firewalls, and use secure VPNs to protect themselves. Suspected compromised devices show signs of performance degradation, excessive heating, unexpected changes in settings, and anomalous network traffic.
A critical vulnerability has been discovered in unpatched Edimax IP cameras that can be exploited by malicious actors to gain remote code execution and compromise the devices. The flaw, tracked as CVE-2025-1316, is a critical severity (CVSS v4.0 score 9.3) OS command injection flaw caused by the improper neutralization of incoming requests. This vulnerability has been actively exploited in botnet attacks, with the Edimax IC-7100 IP security camera being particularly targeted.
The Edimax IC-7100 was released in October 2011 and is no longer supported by its manufacturer. However, a significant number of these devices are still in use across the globe, making them vulnerable to exploitation. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely by sending specially crafted requests to the device, allowing an attacker to gain access to the camera's internal workings and potentially take control of the device.
The current exploitation of this vulnerability is being performed by botnet malware that uses compromised Edimax IP cameras to launch distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, proxy malicious traffic, or pivot to other devices on the same network. The botnets often use these devices to compromise homes, businesses, and industries, making them vulnerable to various types of cyber threats.
In order to protect themselves from this vulnerability, users are advised to take immediate action. CISA recommends that users minimize internet exposure for impacted devices, place them behind firewalls, and isolate them from critical business networks. Additionally, the U.S. agency recommends using up-to-date Virtual Private Network (VPN) products for secure remote access when required.
Common signs of compromised IoT devices include performance degradation, excessive heating, unexpected changes in device settings, and atypical/anomalous network traffic. If you suspect that your Edimax IP camera has been compromised, it is essential to take immediate action to mitigate the damage.
The discovery of this vulnerability highlights the importance of staying up-to-date with software patches and security updates. The fact that the Edimax IC-7100 is no longer supported by its manufacturer raises questions about the vendor's commitment to ensuring the long-term security of their products.
In light of this critical vulnerability, it is essential for users to be aware of the risks associated with using unpatched IoT devices and take steps to protect themselves. This includes regularly checking for software updates, implementing robust security measures, and being vigilant for signs of compromise.
The discovery of this vulnerability also underscores the need for improved collaboration between vendors, researchers, and government agencies in identifying and addressing vulnerabilities in IoT devices. By working together, we can create a safer and more secure digital landscape for all.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/A-Critical-Vulnerability-in-Unpatched-Edimax-IP-Cameras-Exposes-Homes-Businesses-and-Industries-to-Malicious-Botnet-Attacks-ehn.shtml
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/unpatched-edimax-ip-camera-flaw-actively-exploited-in-botnet-attacks/
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-1316
https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2025-1316/
Published: Fri Mar 7 17:11:42 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
