CVE-2025-54810 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the Cognex In-Sight 2000 series, specifically version 5.x of the In-Sight Explorer software and the In-Sight Camera Firmware. The vulnerability arises from the exposure of a proprietary management protocol on TCP port 1069, which is used to perform critical management operations such as modifying system properties. The core issue is that the user management functionality transmits sensitive information, including registered usernames and passwords, over an unencrypted channel. This lack of encryption allows an adjacent attacker—someone with network access in close proximity or on the same local network segment—to intercept valid credentials via network sniffing techniques. Once credentials are obtained, the attacker can gain unauthorized access to the device, potentially leading to full compromise. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-294 (Improper Authentication), indicating that the system does not adequately verify the identity of users before granting access. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.0, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and no privileges required, though user interaction is needed to trigger the vulnerability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, but the vulnerability's nature and the critical role of these devices in industrial and manufacturing environments make it a significant risk. The absence of encryption on management communications is a fundamental security flaw that could be exploited to disrupt operations or gain persistent unauthorized access to industrial control systems.

For European organizations, especially those in manufacturing, logistics, and industrial automation sectors, this vulnerability poses a serious risk. Cognex In-Sight 2000 series devices are widely used for machine vision tasks such as quality control, assembly verification, and robotic guidance. Unauthorized access to these devices could lead to manipulation or disruption of automated processes, causing production downtime, quality degradation, or safety incidents. The interception of credentials could also facilitate lateral movement within industrial networks, potentially compromising other critical systems. Given the increasing integration of industrial control systems with corporate IT networks in Europe, this vulnerability could serve as an entry point for broader attacks. Additionally, organizations subject to strict data protection and operational continuity regulations (e.g., GDPR, NIS Directive) could face compliance risks and financial penalties if exploitation leads to data breaches or service interruptions.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Network Segmentation: Isolate Cognex In-Sight devices on dedicated VLANs or physically separate networks to limit access to trusted administrators only. 2) Use VPN or Encrypted Tunnels: Since the protocol lacks encryption, encapsulate management traffic within secure tunnels such as IPsec or TLS-based VPNs to prevent credential interception. 3) Restrict Access: Employ strict firewall rules to block TCP port 1069 from untrusted or external networks, allowing only authorized management stations. 4) Monitor Network Traffic: Deploy intrusion detection systems (IDS) or network monitoring tools to detect anomalous access patterns or unauthorized attempts to connect to port 1069. 5) Firmware Updates: Although no patch links are currently available, maintain close communication with Cognex for firmware updates or security advisories and apply patches promptly once released. 6) Credential Management: Change default or weak passwords on affected devices and implement strong authentication policies. 7) Incident Response Planning: Prepare for potential compromise scenarios involving these devices, including procedures for credential revocation and device isolation.