CVE-2026-63286 in AXIS Camera Station Pro
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2026
Database backups are vulnerable to offline attacks. Backups created using a version prior to the patched version are still vulnerable. AXIS Camera Station Pro automatically creates one more such backup for recovery purpose when the update is applied. Delete all these backups and change the credentials stored in AXIS Camera Station Pro.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2026
The vulnerability described pertains to Axis Camera Station Pro, a video management software solution used for surveillance systems. The core issue involves database backups being susceptible to offline attacks. This implies that if an attacker gains physical or logical access to these backup files stored on disk, they can attempt to crack the credentials contained within them without needing to interact with the live application or network services directly. Offline attack vectors are particularly dangerous because they allow attackers unlimited attempts to guess passwords using powerful hardware like GPUs or specialized cracking appliances, bypassing rate-limiting and account lockout mechanisms typically enforced by online authentication systems.
The technical flaw lies in how credentials were stored within these database backups prior to the patched version. While the specific cryptographic weakness is not detailed in the brief description, such vulnerabilities often stem from storing passwords with weak hashing algorithms, insufficient salting, or reversible encryption that can be reversed given enough computational power. The persistence of this risk even after applying a software update is due to backward compatibility and recovery mechanisms. When an administrator updates Axis Camera Station Pro to a patched version, the system automatically creates at least one additional backup for disaster recovery purposes. This newly created backup inherits the same structural weaknesses as previous backups if it contains legacy credential data that has not been re-hashed with stronger algorithms during the update process. Consequently, these specific recovery backups remain vulnerable to offline cracking attempts just like their predecessors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on Axis Camera Station Pro for security monitoring. If an attacker successfully cracks the credentials stored in a backup file, they gain unauthorized access to the video management system. This could lead to several severe consequences including viewing live and recorded footage without authorization, manipulating camera settings such as pan-tilt-zoom controls or recording schedules, deleting critical evidence, or potentially using the compromised server as a pivot point for further network intrusion. Since backups are often stored on accessible storage volumes or shared drives, they represent an attractive target for threat actors who have already breached perimeter defenses or obtained physical access to the infrastructure.
To mitigate this risk, immediate action is required beyond simply installing the software patch. Administrators must manually delete all existing database backup files created by versions prior to the patched release, as well as any automatic recovery backups generated during the update process. These files contain sensitive credential data that remains vulnerable regardless of the current application version running on the server. Following the deletion of these insecure backups, it is imperative to change all credentials stored within Axis Camera Station Pro. This includes updating passwords for administrative accounts and potentially other service accounts associated with the database. By rotating credentials after removing the compromised backup artifacts, organizations ensure that even if an attacker had previously exfiltrated old backup files, those stolen hashes will no longer be valid against the new system state.
This incident highlights best practices in vulnerability management regarding credential storage and lifecycle management. It aligns with CWE-798 which describes the use of hardcoded credentials or weak cryptographic algorithms for storing sensitive information. Furthermore, it relates to ATT&CK technique T1552 Unsecured Credentials where attackers seek unencrypted or easily reversible stored credentials on local systems or network shares. Security teams should ensure that backup processes are configured to exclude credential files or that backups containing such data are encrypted using strong keys managed separately from the application itself. Regular audits of backup contents and strict access controls over backup storage locations are essential defenses against offline credential theft attacks in enterprise surveillance environments.