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 for performing management operations such as modifying system properties. Critically, 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—to intercept these credentials through network traffic sniffing. Once valid credentials are obtained, the attacker can gain unauthorized access to the device, potentially leading to full compromise. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-319 (Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information), highlighting the core issue of sensitive data being sent without adequate protection. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.0 (high) reflects the vulnerability's significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity, no privileges required, and only user interaction needed (likely to trigger the protocol communication). No known exploits are reported in the wild yet, but the vulnerability's nature makes it a critical concern for environments using these devices. The lack of available patches at the time of publication further increases the urgency for mitigation.

For European organizations, especially those in manufacturing, industrial automation, and quality control sectors where Cognex In-Sight 2000 series devices are deployed, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk. Compromise of these devices can lead to unauthorized manipulation of system properties, potentially disrupting automated inspection processes, causing production delays, or allowing tampering with quality control data. The interception of credentials could also serve as a foothold for lateral movement within industrial networks, increasing the risk of broader operational technology (OT) network compromise. Given the critical role these devices play in industrial environments, exploitation could impact operational continuity, product quality, and safety compliance. Additionally, the exposure of sensitive credentials could violate data protection regulations such as GDPR if personal or corporate data is indirectly affected. The vulnerability's requirement for adjacent network access limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk in environments with shared or poorly segmented networks, common in industrial settings.

1. Network Segmentation: Isolate Cognex In-Sight 2000 series devices on dedicated network segments with strict access controls to limit exposure to adjacent attackers. 2. Use of VPNs or Encrypted Tunnels: Where remote management is necessary, enforce encrypted communication channels such as VPNs or SSH tunnels to protect management traffic. 3. Disable Unused Services: If the proprietary protocol on TCP port 1069 is not required, disable it to eliminate the attack surface. 4. Monitor Network Traffic: Implement network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify unusual access patterns or credential interception attempts on port 1069. 5. Vendor Coordination: Engage with Cognex for timely patch releases and apply updates as soon as they become available. 6. Credential Management: Change default and existing credentials regularly and use strong, unique passwords to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 7. Physical Security: Restrict physical and network access to devices to prevent attackers from gaining adjacent network access. 8. Incident Response Planning: Prepare response procedures for potential device compromise to minimize operational impact.