CVE-2026-85497 Overview
CVE-2026-85497 affects CareCam CM2507 IP cameras, which store the device's root-account password using a fixed legacy password hash. The hash algorithm provides insufficient resistance to offline cracking, allowing an attacker who obtains the firmware image or password database to recover the plaintext credential. Because the credential is fixed across firmware images, recovered passwords are likely reusable on other devices running the same firmware. The issue is classified under CWE-916: Use of Password Hash With Insufficient Computational Effort. CISA published this issue as advisory ICSA-26-258-08.
Critical Impact
Recovery of the root credential enables full network-based takeover of affected cameras with no authentication, no user interaction, and low attack complexity.
Affected Products
- CareCam CM2507 IP camera
- Firmware images containing the fixed root password hash
- Devices sharing the same firmware baseline as the CM2507
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-09-18 - CVE CVE-2026-85497 published to NVD
- 2026-09-21 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-85497
Vulnerability Analysis
The CareCam CM2507 stores the root-account credential as a hash generated by a legacy algorithm with low computational cost. Modern GPU-based cracking rigs and rainbow tables can recover such hashes at high throughput. Because the hash is embedded in shipped firmware, every device flashed with that firmware image carries the same recoverable secret.
An attacker with any copy of the firmware, including one pulled from a device teardown, an update mirror, or a vendor download portal, can extract the password database offline. Recovery does not require access to a running camera. Once cracked, the credential yields root-level access over network services exposed by the device.
Root Cause
The root cause is the use of a password hashing scheme that does not employ modern key-stretching or per-device salting. Storing a single shared credential across a firmware line compounds the exposure by making a single successful crack usable against an entire device population.
Attack Vector
Exploitation proceeds in two phases. First, the attacker acquires the firmware image and extracts the shadow or equivalent credential store. Second, the attacker runs an offline cracking tool against the legacy hash. With the recovered root password, the attacker authenticates to network-reachable management interfaces such as Telnet, SSH, or the vendor's proprietary control channel and gains full device control. See the CISA ICS Advisory ICSA-26-258-08 and the GitHub CSAF File ICSA-26-258-08 for technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-85497
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected successful root logins to CM2507 devices over SSH, Telnet, or vendor management ports
- Configuration changes, firmware modifications, or new user accounts created on affected cameras
- Outbound connections from cameras to unknown command-and-control infrastructure
- Unusual RTSP or ONVIF stream redirection to external destinations
Detection Strategies
- Inspect network logs for authentication attempts against camera management interfaces originating from unexpected internal or external hosts
- Baseline normal camera network behavior and alert on deviations, including new listening ports or outbound protocols
- Perform periodic firmware integrity checks against known-good vendor hashes
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable centralized logging for all IoT and camera VLANs, forwarding syslog and NetFlow to the SIEM
- Monitor for scanning activity targeting common camera ports such as 23/tcp, 22/tcp, 554/tcp, and 80/tcp
- Alert on any interactive shell session originating from or terminating on camera subnets
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-85497
Immediate Actions Required
- Isolate CareCam CM2507 devices onto a dedicated VLAN with no inbound internet exposure
- Block management ports (22, 23, 80, 443) at the perimeter for affected devices
- Rotate any shared credentials on connected systems that may have been accessed from the cameras
- Contact CareCam for a firmware release that implements a modern password hashing scheme with per-device salting
Patch Information
No vendor patch is listed in the NVD entry at time of publication. Refer to the CISA ICS Advisory ICSA-26-258-08 for the latest vendor guidance and remediation status.
Workarounds
- Place cameras behind a network segment that enforces strict egress filtering and denies inbound management access
- Terminate video streams at a hardened recorder or gateway rather than exposing cameras directly to clients
- Disable any unused network services on the device where the interface permits
- Restrict administrative access to a jump host with multi-factor authentication and full session logging
# Configuration example: restrict CM2507 management interface via iptables on an upstream gateway
iptables -A FORWARD -s 10.20.30.0/24 -p tcp -m multiport --dports 22,23,80,443 -j DROP
iptables -A FORWARD -d 10.20.30.0/24 -p tcp -m multiport --dports 22,23,80,443 -m conntrack --ctstate NEW -j DROP
iptables -A FORWARD -s 10.20.30.0/24 -m conntrack --ctstate NEW -j LOG --log-prefix "CM2507-EGRESS: "
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
