Critical Flaw Exposes Hunt Electronics DVRs: Firmware Update Urged to Prevent Attacks
A critical flaw in Hunt Electronics’ DVRs exposes admin credentials online, risking full system takeover and wider network breaches without authentication. Immediate firmware updates are strongly advised.
Tech Author
A serious security flaw has been identified in Hunt Electronics' hybrid DVRs, putting thousands of surveillance systems globally at risk.The issue, identified as CVE-2025-6561, has received a maximum severity score of 9.8, suggesting that it poses a significant threat to individuals and organisations that rely on these devices for physical security.
The vulnerability affects Hunt Electronics' HBF-09KD and HBF-16NK DVR models with firmware version V3.1.67_1786 BB11115 or earlier.Security researchers discovered that an attacker could access the device's configuration file via the internet without having to log in or authenticate in any kind of way.
Unexpectedly this file contains administrator credentials in plaintext, allowing anyone with access to the file to gain complete control of the DVR system.
Why It is Dangerous
If exploited, attackers may gain administrative access to the DVR, modify surveillance feeds, steal or manipulate recorded footage, and even launch attacks on other systems connected to the same network. Since many of these DVRs are linked to internal organizational networks, this vulnerability could not only disrupt surveillance operations but also act as a gateway for broader and more damaging cyber-attacks.
What should you do?
Hunt Electronics has published a patched firmware version (V3.1.70_1806 BB50604 or later) to resolve the issue.If you are using an impacted model, you must update it immediately.
To ensure security, update firmware promptly, disconnect the DVR from public networks, change administrator passwords, and monitor for suspicious activity or login attempts.
This vulnerability serves as an important reminder of the dangers associated with insufficient safety measures such as storing passwords in plaintext and delaying software updates.Organisations must act promptly to secure their networks and prevent breaches.
If left unpatched, this issue might have serious consequences—not only for spying, but also for general network security.
