CVE-2025-54754 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the Cognex In-Sight 2000 series devices, specifically version 5.x. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-259, which relates to the use of hard-coded passwords. In this case, an attacker with adjacent network access—meaning they must be on the same local network segment or have similar network proximity—can exploit the vulnerability without requiring any authentication. The attacker can extract a hard-coded password embedded within publicly available software associated with the device. This password can then be leveraged to decrypt sensitive network traffic to and from the Cognex device. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as indicated by the CVSS vector (CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H). The attack complexity is low, no privileges are required, but user interaction is needed (likely to initiate the network traffic capture or interaction). The scope is unchanged, meaning the impact is limited to the vulnerable component. The hard-coded password exposure allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and decrypt network communications, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data leakage, manipulation of device operations, or denial of service. The absence of patches at the time of publication increases the risk, although no known exploits in the wild have been reported yet. Given the critical role of Cognex In-Sight 2000 series devices in industrial automation and machine vision applications, this vulnerability poses a significant threat to operational technology environments.

For European organizations, especially those in manufacturing, logistics, and industrial automation sectors, this vulnerability could have severe consequences. Cognex In-Sight 2000 series devices are widely used in automated inspection, quality control, and robotic guidance systems. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized interception and manipulation of sensitive operational data, causing production errors, compromised product quality, or operational downtime. The ability to decrypt network traffic may also expose intellectual property or sensitive process information. Furthermore, attackers could disrupt device functionality, leading to safety risks or financial losses. Given the interconnected nature of industrial control systems in Europe and the increasing adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, this vulnerability could facilitate lateral movement within networks, potentially impacting broader industrial operations. The lack of authentication requirement lowers the barrier for attackers with network access, increasing the likelihood of exploitation in environments where network segmentation or access controls are insufficient.

1. Network Segmentation: Isolate Cognex In-Sight 2000 series devices on dedicated network segments with strict access controls to limit adjacent network access only to trusted entities. 2. Monitor Network Traffic: Deploy network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) to monitor for unusual traffic patterns or attempts to access device management interfaces. 3. Disable Unnecessary Services: Review and disable any non-essential network services on the devices to reduce the attack surface. 4. Use VPN or Encrypted Channels: Where possible, encapsulate device communications within secure VPN tunnels or use additional encryption layers to protect traffic beyond the vulnerable device's native encryption. 5. Vendor Engagement: Engage with Cognex for updates or patches addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 6. Access Control Policies: Implement strict policies to control which users and systems can communicate with the devices, employing network access control (NAC) solutions. 7. Incident Response Preparation: Develop and test incident response plans specific to industrial control system compromises, including rapid isolation of affected devices. 8. Firmware and Software Inventory: Maintain an accurate inventory of affected devices and versions to prioritize mitigation efforts and monitor for unauthorized changes.