CVE-2025-54818 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the Cognex In-Sight 2000 series, specifically version 5.x of the In-Sight Explorer software and 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, such as on the same local network segment or Wi-Fi—to intercept these credentials via network sniffing techniques. Once valid credentials are captured, the attacker can gain unauthorized access to the device, potentially leading to full compromise. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-319, which pertains to the cleartext transmission of sensitive information. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.0, indicating a high severity level, with attack vector being adjacent network (AV:A), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability affects industrial control system (ICS) devices used in manufacturing and automation environments, where Cognex In-Sight cameras are deployed for machine vision tasks. The exposure of credentials could lead to unauthorized device configuration changes, disruption of automated processes, or further lateral movement within industrial networks.

For European organizations, particularly those in manufacturing, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors relying heavily on industrial automation, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Compromise of Cognex In-Sight 2000 series devices could lead to unauthorized manipulation of machine vision systems, resulting in production downtime, quality control failures, or safety incidents. The confidentiality breach of credentials may also facilitate broader network intrusion, enabling attackers to pivot to other critical systems. Given the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, exploitation could disrupt supply chains and cause financial losses. Additionally, regulatory compliance frameworks such as GDPR and NIS Directive may be implicated if personal or operational data is compromised or if service disruptions occur. The requirement for adjacent network access limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with insufficient network segmentation or where wireless networks are used. The need for user interaction (UI:R) suggests some social engineering or user involvement may be necessary, but the low complexity and no privilege requirements increase the likelihood of successful exploitation once the attacker is on the local network.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Network Segmentation: Isolate Cognex In-Sight devices on dedicated VLANs or network segments with strict access controls to limit adjacent network exposure. 2) Enforce Encrypted Management Channels: Where possible, configure devices or network infrastructure to enforce encrypted communication protocols (e.g., VPN tunnels, TLS proxies) for management traffic on TCP port 1069. 3) Monitor Network Traffic: Deploy network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) to monitor for suspicious traffic on port 1069 and detect potential credential interception attempts. 4) Access Control Policies: Restrict physical and wireless network access to trusted personnel only, reducing the risk of adjacent attackers. 5) User Training: Educate users about the risks of interacting with management interfaces and the importance of secure handling of credentials. 6) Vendor Coordination: Engage with Cognex for firmware updates or patches addressing this vulnerability and plan timely deployment once available. 7) Incident Response Preparation: Develop and test incident response plans specific to ICS device compromise scenarios. 8) Regular Auditing: Conduct periodic audits of device configurations and network architecture to ensure adherence to security best practices and detect unauthorized changes.