CVE-2025-5124: Sony Network Camera Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2025-5124 Overview

CVE-2025-5124 affects multiple Sony SNC network camera models running firmware up to version 1.30. The vulnerability resides in the administrative interface and stems from the use of default credentials [CWE-1392]. An attacker with network access to the camera can authenticate using factory-default account information and gain administrative control. Sony confirmed the issue but referenced its published Hardening Guide, distributed from July 2018 through January 2025, which instructs customers to change initial passwords. The exploit has been disclosed publicly, though attack complexity is rated high and practical exploitation is described as difficult.

Critical Impact
Remote attackers reaching the administrative interface of affected Sony SNC cameras can authenticate with default credentials and obtain full administrative access to the device.

Affected Products

Sony SNC-M1, SNC-M3, SNC-RZ25N, SNC-RZ30N up to firmware 1.30
Sony SNC-DS10, SNC-CS3N up to firmware 1.30
Sony SNC-RX570N up to firmware 1.30

Discovery Timeline

2025-05-24 - CVE-2025-5124 published to NVD
2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-5124

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the administrative interface of the listed Sony SNC network cameras. The devices ship with factory-default account credentials that remain valid until an administrator changes them. An attacker who reaches the management interface over the network can authenticate as an administrator without exploiting any memory corruption or logic flaw. Once authenticated, the attacker controls camera configuration, video streams, and any integration points exposed by the device.

The weakness is categorized under [CWE-1392] (Use of Default Credentials). It is a configuration and design defect rather than a code defect. Sony states that customer-facing Hardening Guide documentation has informed users since July 2018 to replace initial passwords. The vulnerability persists where operators deployed the cameras without applying that guidance.

Root Cause

The affected SNC firmware ships with predictable default administrative credentials and does not force a credential change during initial setup. Devices placed in production without manual hardening retain these credentials indefinitely.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires network reachability to the camera's administrative interface. An attacker submits the known default username and password combination to the management endpoint and receives an authenticated session. Attack complexity is rated high because the attacker must first locate an exposed camera that has not been hardened. No user interaction or prior privileges are required.

No verified proof-of-concept code is included in this advisory. Public references including the GitHub PoC for CVE Request and VulDB #310203 document the issue.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-5124

Indicators of Compromise

Successful administrative logins to SNC camera web interfaces from unexpected source IP addresses or geographies.
Authentication events on the camera management interface using the documented factory-default account name.
Configuration changes, firmware uploads, or new user accounts created shortly after a login event on an SNC device.
Outbound connections from the camera to unfamiliar hosts, which may indicate post-compromise tunneling or video exfiltration.

Detection Strategies

Inventory all Sony SNC-M1, SNC-M3, SNC-RZ25N, SNC-RZ30N, SNC-DS10, SNC-CS3N, and SNC-RX570N devices and flag those running firmware at or below 1.30.
Probe administrative interfaces from an authorized scanner using the documented default credential pair to identify cameras that still accept it.
Correlate authentication logs from the cameras with network flow records to detect logins originating outside management subnets.

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward camera authentication and configuration-change events to a centralized log platform and alert on first-time administrative logins.
Monitor for HTTP or RTSP requests to camera management URLs from non-administrative VLANs.
Track outbound traffic volume from camera subnets to detect unauthorized video streaming or command-and-control traffic.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-5124

Immediate Actions Required

Change the administrative password on every affected SNC camera to a unique, high-entropy value.
Remove any cameras that expose the management interface directly to the internet, or place them behind a VPN or jump host.
Restrict access to the camera administrative interface to a dedicated management VLAN using firewall rules or ACLs.
Audit existing camera accounts for unauthorized additions and review configuration for unexpected changes.

Patch Information

Sony has not released a firmware patch for this issue and instead points customers to its published Hardening Guide, distributed from July 2018 through January 2025, which directs operators to change initial passwords. Mitigation is configuration-based. Consult the references at VulDB CTI ID #310203 and the GitHub CVE Request Repository for additional context.

Workarounds

Apply the recommendations in Sony's Hardening Guide, including replacing default credentials and disabling unused services.
Segment camera networks from corporate and production networks and block direct internet exposure of management ports.
Enforce credential rotation policies and document the new credentials in a controlled secrets store.
Where supported by the device, enable account lockout and source-IP restrictions on the administrative interface.

bash

# Configuration example: restrict camera management access at the network edge
# Replace 10.10.50.0/24 with your authorized management subnet
# Replace 192.0.2.10 with the camera IP
iptables -A FORWARD -s 10.10.50.0/24 -d 192.0.2.10 -p tcp --dport 80 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A FORWARD -d 192.0.2.10 -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP
iptables -A FORWARD -d 192.0.2.10 -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP