CVE-2025-52599 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management) discovered in the Hanwha Vision QNV-C8012 IP camera. The issue stems from inadequate permission management of the camera's guest account, which allows unauthorized users to perform actions beyond intended guest privileges. The vulnerability exists in firmware versions prior to 2.22.05 and does not require authentication or user interaction for exploitation, but does require network access to the device. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.3, indicating a medium severity level, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts limited to low confidentiality impact (C:L) without affecting integrity or availability. This suggests that an attacker can gain some level of unauthorized access or information disclosure but not full control or disruption. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Operational Technology (OT) environments where these cameras may be deployed for surveillance and monitoring. The manufacturer has released a firmware update to address the flaw, emphasizing the importance of patching. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the ease of exploitation and network accessibility make it a credible threat. The vulnerability highlights the risks of insufficient privilege separation in IoT/OT devices, which can be leveraged to compromise security and privacy.

For European organizations, especially those in critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, transportation, and manufacturing, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized surveillance, data leakage, or indirect access to sensitive networks via compromised cameras. The improper privilege management could allow attackers to bypass guest restrictions, potentially enabling reconnaissance or lateral movement within the network. Privacy concerns arise from unauthorized access to video feeds. The impact is heightened in environments where these cameras are integrated into security or operational monitoring systems. While the vulnerability does not directly enable full device takeover or denial of service, the breach of confidentiality and potential for further exploitation pose significant risks. Organizations with exposed or poorly segmented camera networks are particularly vulnerable. The medium severity rating reflects a moderate but actionable risk that requires timely remediation to prevent escalation or exploitation in targeted attacks.

Organizations should immediately verify the firmware version of all Hanwha Vision QNV-C8012 cameras and apply the vendor’s patch firmware version 2.22.05 or later. Network segmentation should be enforced to isolate cameras from critical systems and restrict access to trusted management networks only. Implement strict firewall rules to limit inbound and outbound traffic to and from the cameras, ideally allowing access only from authorized IP addresses. Disable or restrict guest account usage where possible, or change default credentials and permissions to minimize exposure. Continuous monitoring and logging of camera access should be enabled to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing of OT/IoT environments can help identify similar privilege management issues. Additionally, organizations should maintain an inventory of all deployed IoT/OT devices and ensure timely updates are applied as part of a robust patch management process.