CVE-2025-47698 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the Cognex In-Sight 2000 series, specifically version 5.x of its firmware. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-319, which pertains to the cleartext transmission of sensitive information. In this case, during the firmware upgrade process, user-privileged credentials are transmitted without encryption. An adjacent attacker—someone with network access to the same local network segment—can exploit this flaw without requiring authentication. By intercepting the unencrypted communication during the firmware upgrade, the attacker can retrieve these credentials, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the device or its management interface. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.6 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and no privileges or authentication required. The vulnerability does not require user interaction, and the scope is limited to the affected device. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been published yet. The flaw arises from insecure design choices in the firmware upgrade mechanism, where sensitive data is transmitted in cleartext over the network, exposing it to interception by attackers on the same network segment.

For European organizations using Cognex In-Sight 2000 series devices, particularly in industrial automation, manufacturing, and quality control environments, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Compromise of user-privileged credentials can lead to unauthorized device control, manipulation of vision inspection processes, and potential disruption of production lines. This could result in operational downtime, product quality degradation, and financial losses. Additionally, attackers gaining foothold through these devices could pivot to other parts of the network, threatening broader enterprise security. Given the critical role of such industrial devices in European manufacturing sectors, especially in automotive, aerospace, and pharmaceuticals, the impact extends beyond IT to operational technology (OT) environments. The confidentiality breach also risks exposure of sensitive operational data. The lack of authentication and low complexity of exploitation make this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where network segmentation is weak or where adjacent network access is possible.

Immediate mitigation should focus on network-level controls to restrict access to the In-Sight 2000 devices, especially during firmware upgrades. Organizations should implement strict network segmentation and isolate these devices on dedicated VLANs with access limited to authorized personnel and systems. Use of network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify unusual traffic patterns during firmware upgrades can help detect exploitation attempts. Until a vendor patch is available, consider disabling remote firmware upgrades or performing them in physically secured environments. Employ VPNs or encrypted tunnels if remote upgrades are necessary to protect credential transmission. Additionally, review and harden device configurations to minimize exposed services and enforce strong access controls. Organizations should engage with Cognex for timely patch releases and monitor advisories. Finally, incorporate this vulnerability into incident response plans and conduct staff training on recognizing potential exploitation signs.