#iot security

Your CCTV NVR Is a Server (Treat It Like One)

If you manage CCTV or NVR gear in a small business, treat it like a production server—not a “set-and-forget” appliance. CISA added the Digiever DS-2105 Pro NVR vulnerability (CVE-2023-52163) to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog amid active exploitation, proving that “non-IT” devices can quickly become botnet footholds and lateral-movement launchpads.

This post turns the Digiever DS-2105 Pro incident into an actionable IoT patch hygiene program SMBs can run without a huge budget—with configs, scripts, and audit-friendly evidence you can hand to leadership, auditors, or your MSP.

TL;DR: The 7-Fix Playbook

Find every NVR (including Digiever DS-2105 Pro) and assign an owner

Remove internet exposure: no port forwards, no inbound WAN to NVRs

Disable UPnP so routers don’t reopen ports automatically

Isolate NVRs on a dedicated CCTV VLAN and restrict egress (default-deny)

Lock down admin access: unique creds, least privilege, MFA via VPN/jump

Patch on a KEV-driven emergency workflow; use compensating controls if delayed

Turn on budget detection: DNS spikes, outbound beacons, unusual destinations

1) Why NVRs Get Owned (and Why It Keeps Happening)

Most NVR compromises follow a repeatable pattern: the device is reachable from the internet, firmware is outdated, and the network treats it like a trusted internal host. Once an attacker lands, they can drop a botnet payload, pivot into file shares, or exfiltrate footage.

Common exposure patterns

NVR web UI exposed to WAN (port-forwarding, public IP, or cloud relay)

UPnP enabled → automatic inbound mappings

Default/reused admin credentials; shared “installer” accounts

Flat network: NVR sits beside laptops, servers, POS

No centralized logging: compromise looks like “normal traffic”

2) Operationalize CISA KEV for Edge/IoT (Not Just Servers)

Many SMBs treat CISA KEV as an IT problem for Windows and servers. That’s the mistake. KEV additions should be “drop-everything” for edge/IoT too: NVRs, routers, VPN gateways, printers, NAS.

Minimum viable KEV workflow (SMB-friendly)

Triage (30 minutes): Do we have the product/model/version anywhere?

Decide (2 hours): Patch now, isolate now, or disable exposure now

Execute (48 hours): Implement the fix + capture evidence (exports/screenshots)

Close the loop: Validate externally (reachability) + internally (logs/alerts)

KEV mapping script (offline, no external links)

Keep a locally synced KEV file (JSON/CSV) inside your environment and compare it to your IoT inventory:

# kev_match.py import csv import json from pathlib import Path KEV_JSON = Path("kev_catalog.json") # locally synced copy ASSETS_CSV = Path("iot_inventory.csv") # your CMDB-lite export def norm(s: str) -> str: return (s or "").strip().lower() kev = json.loads(KEV_JSON.read_text(encoding="utf-8")) kev_rows = kev.get("vulnerabilities", kev) hits = [] with ASSETS_CSV.open(newline="", encoding="utf-8") as f: for row in csv.DictReader(f): product = norm(row.get("product") or row.get("vendor_model")) vendor = norm(row.get("vendor")) for k in kev_rows: if norm(k.get("product")) in product and norm(k.get("vendor")) in vendor: hits.append({ "asset_id": row.get("asset_id"), "hostname": row.get("hostname"), "product": row.get("product") or row.get("vendor_model"), "cveID": k.get("cveID") or k.get("cve"), }) print(f"KEV matches: {len(hits)}") for h in hits: print(f"- {h['asset_id']} {h['product']} => {h['cveID']}")

3) The 7 Powerful Fixes (48-Hour Hardening Sprint)

Use these steps for Digiever DS-2105 Pro CVE-2023-52163, then keep them as a repeatable playbook for any NVR vulnerability.

Fix 1 — Find Every NVR (Inventory + Discovery)

Start with “IoT CMDB lite”: devices, owners, location, firmware, access path, patch dates.

asset_id,hostname,ip,mac,vendor,product,firmware,location,owner,criticality,remote_access,notes,last_patch_date,kev_hit iot-001,nvr-frontdesk,10.30.10.10,AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF,Digiever,DS-2105 Pro,3.1.0.71-11,Front Desk,Facilities,High,None,"On VLAN 30",2025-12-01,yes

Discovery scan (authorized only):

nmap -sS -sV -Pn --open -p 22,23,80,443,554,8000,8080,8443,8899 10.30.0.0/16 -oA cctv_discovery

Fix 2 — Remove Inbound WAN Exposure (Port Forwards = Compromise)

Fastest risk reduction: delete port forwards, disable remote management, block inbound WAN to CCTV subnet.

Linux nftables (example pattern):

nft add table inet filter nft 'add chain inet filter input { type filter hook input priority 0; policy drop; }' nft 'add rule inet filter input ct state established,related accept' nft 'add rule inet filter input iifname "lo" accept' nft 'add rule inet filter input ip saddr 10.10.0.0/16 accept' # Admin VPN

MikroTik (drop inbound to CCTV VLAN + remove NAT forwards):

/ip firewall filter add chain=input connection-state=established,related action=accept add chain=input src-address=10.10.0.0/16 action=accept comment="Admin VPN/jump subnet" add chain=input in-interface=WAN dst-address=10.30.0.0/16 action=drop comment="Block WAN to CCTV" /ip firewall nat # Remove any dst-nat rules that forward ports to 10.30.0.0/16

Ubiquiti EdgeOS (example):

configure delete service nat rule 100 # remove a port forward rule set firewall name WAN_LOCAL default-action drop set firewall name WAN_LOCAL rule 10 action accept set firewall name WAN_LOCAL rule 10 state established enable set firewall name WAN_LOCAL rule 10 state related enable set firewall name WAN_LOCAL rule 50 action drop set firewall name WAN_LOCAL rule 50 destination address 10.30.0.0/16 commit; save; exit

Fix 3 — Disable UPnP (Stop Ports From Reopening)

UPnP is how routers silently expose NVR admin panels.

MikroTik:

/ip upnp set enabled=no

OpenWrt:

uci set upnpd.config.enabled='0' uci commit upnpd /etc/init.d/miniupnpd stop /etc/init.d/miniupnpd disable

Fix 4 — Isolate NVRs on a CCTV VLAN (Segmentation You Can Prove)

Dedicated VLAN prevents pivoting into business systems and creates clean audit evidence.

Cisco IOS (VLAN 30 example):

conf t vlan 30 name CCTV_NVR interface range gi1/0/10-12 switchport mode access switchport access vlan 30 spanning-tree portfast end wr mem

Default-deny egress (allow only what’s needed):

nft add rule inet filter forward ip saddr 10.30.0.0/16 ip daddr 10.30.0.53 udp dport 53 accept nft add rule inet filter forward ip saddr 10.30.0.0/16 ip daddr 10.30.0.53 tcp dport 53 accept nft add rule inet filter forward ip saddr 10.30.0.0/16 udp dport 123 accept nft add rule inet filter forward ip saddr 10.30.0.0/16 ip daddr 10.20.5.25 tcp dport 443 accept # viewing station nft add rule inet filter forward ip saddr 10.30.0.0/16 oifname "WAN" drop

Fix 5 — Lock Down Admin Access (Accounts, MFA, Safe Remote Viewing)

Even after patching, assume attackers probe exposed admin paths.

Remove/rename default admin accounts; eliminate shared installer creds

Unique long passwords in a password manager

Admin UI only from admin VLAN/VPN (never WAN)

Remote viewing via VPN/jump host (no port forwarding)

Enable NTP/time sync for usable logs

Internal-only allowlist reverse proxy pattern:

server { listen 443 ssl; server_name nvr-admin.local; allow 10.10.0.0/16; # Admin VPN allow 192.168.50.0/24; # Jump host subnet deny all; location / { proxy_pass http://10.30.10.10; proxy_set_header Host $host; } }

Fix 6 — Patch Fast (KEV Emergency SLA) + Compensating Controls

For KEV-listed issues like CVE-2023-52163, use an emergency SLA (48 hours), even if normal IoT patching is monthly. If patching is blocked (EOL, vendor delay), apply compensating controls until replacement.

Patch SLA tracker:

# patch_sla.py import csv from datetime import datetime, timedelta EMERGENCY_DAYS = 2 MONTHLY_DAYS = 30 def parse(d): return datetime.strptime(d, "%Y-%m-%d") today = datetime.utcnow().date() with open("iot_inventory.csv", newline="", encoding="utf-8") as f: for r in csv.DictReader(f): last_patch = r.get("last_patch_date") or "1970-01-01" sla = EMERGENCY_DAYS if (r.get("kev_hit","").lower() == "yes") else MONTHLY_DAYS due = parse(last_patch).date() + timedelta(days=sla) if today > due: print(f"[OVERDUE] {r.get('asset_id')} {r.get('product')} due={due} owner={r.get('owner')}")

Virtual patch example (block risky path while patching):

location ~* /time_tzsetup\.cgi { return 403; }

Fix 7 — Detection on a Budget (Beacons, DNS Spikes, Unusual Destinations)

You don’t need a full SOC—just a few high-signal checks.

Minimum viable logging

Firewall logs for CCTV VLAN egress (at least denies)

DNS logs (queries from CCTV VLAN devices)

DHCP leases (MAC-to-IP history)

Syslog from NVR (auth/config changes/reboots), if supported

Suricata-style alert (example):

alert ip 10.30.0.0/16 any -> any ![53,80,123,443] (msg:"CCTV unusual egress port"; sid:1003001; rev:1;)

DNS spike watch:

# dns_spike_watch.py from collections import Counter import re LOG = "dns.log" CCTV_SUBNET_PREFIX = "10.30." pattern = re.compile(r"(\d+\.\d+\.\d+\.\d+)\s+query\s+(\S+)") counts = Counter() with open(LOG, encoding="utf-8", errors="ignore") as f: for line in f: m = pattern.search(line) if not m: continue ip, domain = m.group(1), m.group(2).lower().strip(".") if ip.startswith(CCTV_SUBNET_PREFIX): counts[(ip, domain)] += 1 for (ip, domain), n in counts.most_common(25): if n >= 50: print(f"[DNS SPIKE] {ip} -> {domain}: {n}")

4) Free Security tool Screenshots (Trust + Conversions)

Free Website Vulnerability Scanner tool by Pentest Testing Corp

Sample report from the tool to check Website Vulnerability

5) Compliance Angle: Turn Controls Into Audit Evidence

Even without formal certification, these artifacts help with customer questionnaires, cyber insurance, and incident response.

Evidence pack (copy/paste):

/evidence/iot-nvr-hardening/ 01_inventory/iot_inventory.csv 02_network/segmentation_diagram.png 03_firewall/cctv_vlan_rules_export.txt 04_patching/firmware_versions_before_after.csv 05_validation/external_port_scan_before_after.txt 06_monitoring/dns_spike_alerts_screenshots/ 07_change_control/change_record.yaml

Hash manifest:

find evidence -type f -print0 | xargs -0 sha256sum > evidence_hashes.sha256

6) When to Bring Experts (and What to Scope)

Bring in a scoped assessment when:

You can’t confidently remove WAN exposure

Segmentation is messy / breaks operations

You suspect compromise already

You need audit-grade validation

Practical scope: validate remote-access paths, test segmentation boundaries, review firewall rules, and simulate pivot attempts from CCTV VLAN into business systems.

Where Pentest Testing Corp Helps (Internal Links Only)

If you need an audit-friendly plan to reduce IoT and network risk, start at:

https://www.pentesttesting.com/

For formal gap mapping and prioritization:

Risk Assessment Services: https://www.pentesttesting.com/risk-assessment-services/

Remediation Services: https://www.pentesttesting.com/remediation-services/

Relevant testing services for edge/IoT exposure:

Internal Network Penetration Testing: https://www.pentesttesting.com/internal-network-pentest-testing/

External Network Penetration Testing: https://www.pentesttesting.com/external-network-pentest-testing/

Managed IT Services: https://www.pentesttesting.com/managed-it-services/

Related reading (recent):

https://www.pentesttesting.com/misconfigured-edge-devices-hardening-sprint/

https://www.pentesttesting.com/cisa-kev-remediation-sprint-in-30-days/

https://www.pentesttesting.com/sierra-wireless-airlink-aleos-vulnerability/

IoT devices are at the heart of today’s digital transformation strategies, redefining how industrial projects operate, communicate, and scale. As industries move toward automation and data-driven decision-making, the Internet of Things (IoT) is enabling smarter, faster, and more efficient solutions. From remote monitoring to predictive maintenance, IoT-powered systems are changing the face of modern industry. Businesses are increasingly leveraging IoT connectivity and network management to enhance performance, optimise resources, and ensure seamless communication between devices and systems. Moreover, startups and enterprises alike are exploring the best IoT platforms to build innovative ecosystems that support growth and sustainability. Whether it’s transforming manufacturing, supply chains, or smart homes, IoT continues to play a crucial role in shaping the future of industrial technology. This blog explores top digital transformation strategies for industrial projects and the key role of IoT in this evolving landscape.

Main Blog Content

1. The Role of IoT in Industrial Digital Transformation

Digital transformation in industrial sectors is more than just adopting new technologies; it’s about creating interconnected systems that improve efficiency and reduce costs. IoT devices form the foundation of this evolution, allowing real-time data collection and intelligent automation across all stages of operations. From manufacturing units to energy management systems, IoT enables industries to analyse data, predict maintenance needs, and improve decision-making.

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While industrial applications dominate the IoT landscape, its influence extends far beyond factories and production lines. How IoT is transforming smart homes serves as a great example of its broader impact. From bright lighting and energy management to intelligent security systems, IoT devices are enhancing comfort, safety, and sustainability in everyday life.

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Startups benefit from these platforms through faster deployment, integration flexibility, and built-in security features. By adopting the right IoT platform, industrial projects can accelerate their digital transformation journey and maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market.

Conclusion

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In today’s digital-first environment, enterprises face growing threats targeting two of their most vulnerable surfaces: email systems and connected devices. Strengthening Email Security and IoT Security is no longer optional—it is a strategic necessity for business continuity, regulatory compliance, and operational stability.

Email remains the most widely used business communication channel, making it a primary target for phishing, spoofing, ransomware, and Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks. Effective Email Security goes beyond spam filtering and basic firewalls. It requires digital signing, end-to-end encryption, certificate-based authentication, and strict identity validation controls. By implementing PKI-driven frameworks and S/MIME encryption, organizations can ensure that emails are confidential, tamper-proof, and verifiably authentic.

Technology providers such as Sixscape Communications Pte. Ltd. are focused on strengthening secure communications through certificate lifecycle automation and cryptographic authentication. Their approach emphasizes eliminating password-based vulnerabilities and replacing them with strong digital identity models that protect enterprise messaging environments at scale.

At the same time, the rapid expansion of connected devices has amplified the need for robust IoT Security. From industrial IoT systems and smart infrastructure to healthcare and logistics devices, every connected endpoint represents a potential attack vector. Without secure onboarding, cryptographic device identity, encrypted communication channels, and centralized certificate visibility, rogue devices can infiltrate networks and compromise sensitive data.

A strong IoT Security strategy relies on PKI-based authentication, automated certificate management, real-time monitoring, and strict access governance. Ensuring that every device has a unique and verifiable digital identity significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and large-scale network breaches.