The vulnerability CVE-2025-53701 affects the Vilar VS-IPC1002 IP camera, specifically version 1.1.0.18, and potentially other versions. It is a reflected Cross-site Scripting (XSS) issue categorized under CWE-79, caused by improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The flaw exists because parameters in GET requests sent to the /cgi-bin/action endpoint are not properly sanitized, allowing an attacker to craft malicious URLs that, when visited by an authenticated administrator, execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of the device's web interface. This can lead to session hijacking, unauthorized command execution, or theft of sensitive information. The attack vector is network-based (AV:A), requiring the victim to interact with a malicious link (UI:A), but no privileges or authentication are needed by the attacker to deliver the payload. The vulnerability does not affect confidentiality, integrity, or availability directly but can be leveraged to escalate privileges or pivot within the network. The vendor has not responded or provided patches, increasing the risk of exploitation. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the lack of remediation and the device's role in surveillance make this a notable threat. The CVSS 4.0 score of 4.8 reflects a medium severity, considering the attack complexity and user interaction required.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to the confidentiality and integrity of surveillance systems. Exploitation could allow attackers to hijack administrator sessions, manipulate camera configurations, or access sensitive video feeds, potentially compromising physical security and privacy. Organizations relying on these IP cameras for critical infrastructure monitoring, corporate security, or public safety could face espionage, unauthorized surveillance, or disruption of security operations. The risk is heightened if the devices are accessible from untrusted networks or if administrators are tricked into clicking malicious links. While availability is less likely to be directly impacted, the indirect effects of compromised cameras could disrupt security workflows. The absence of vendor patches means organizations must rely on compensating controls, increasing operational burden. This vulnerability also raises compliance concerns under GDPR if personal data captured by cameras is exposed or manipulated.

1. Immediately restrict access to the management interface of Vilar VS-IPC1002 cameras to trusted internal networks only, using firewall rules or VPNs. 2. Disable remote web access unless absolutely necessary, and if enabled, enforce strong authentication and IP whitelisting. 3. Educate administrators about the risk of clicking untrusted links and implement email filtering to reduce phishing attempts. 4. Monitor network traffic and device logs for unusual GET requests to /cgi-bin/action endpoints or suspicious patterns indicating attempted XSS exploitation. 5. Where possible, replace or upgrade affected devices to models from vendors with active security support. 6. Implement network segmentation to isolate IP cameras from critical IT infrastructure and sensitive data stores. 7. Use web application firewalls (WAFs) or intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) that can detect and block reflected XSS payloads targeting these devices. 8. Regularly audit device firmware versions and configurations to identify vulnerable units. 9. Engage with Vilar or third-party security researchers to encourage patch development or mitigations. 10. Document and prepare incident response plans specific to IP camera compromise scenarios.