Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A FLIR thermal camera firmware version has a flaw that lets a logged-in attacker run operating-system commands as root. If these cameras support physical security, perimeter monitoring, or safety operations, compromise could disrupt visibility or allow tampering with camera behavior.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority asset exposure issue for physical security environments. The flaw requires authentication, but public exploit references and root-level impact justify prompt inventory, network restriction, credential review, and vendor-guided firmware remediation.
Technical view
CVE-2017-20215 is an authenticated OS command injection issue in FLIR Thermal Camera FC-S/PT firmware 8.0.0.64. The CVSS 3.1 score is 8.8. The issue is CWE-78 and permits arbitrary shell command execution with root privileges after authentication over the network.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely where FLIR FC-S/PT cameras running firmware 8.0.0.64 are reachable on management networks or from broader network segments. Internet exposure would increase risk, but the provided sources do not quantify exposed devices.
Exploitation context
Public exploit listings exist on Exploit-DB and Packet Storm, but the CVE is not listed as KEV in the provided data. There is no cited evidence here of active exploitation. Authentication is required, so stolen, default, or weak credentials materially affect risk.
Researcher notes
The source bundle names only FLIR Thermal Camera FC-S/PT firmware 8.0.0.64 as affected. Patch specifics are not included beyond an archived FLIR advisory marked as patch-related. Avoid assuming other FLIR models or fixed versions without vendor confirmation.
Mitigation direction
- Identify FLIR FC-S/PT cameras and record firmware versions.
- Prioritize any device running firmware 8.0.0.64.
- Review the archived FLIR advisory for applicable patched firmware or vendor guidance.
- Restrict camera management interfaces to trusted administrative networks.
- Enforce strong, unique credentials for camera administration.
- Monitor affected cameras for unauthorized configuration or account changes.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether deployed devices are FLIR Thermal Camera FC-S/PT models.
- Check firmware version and flag 8.0.0.64 as affected.
- Verify management interfaces are not exposed to untrusted networks.
- Review access logs for unexpected successful logins.
- Confirm remediation against FLIR’s advisory or current vendor support guidance.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-78: Command execution behavior lookup
Command injection weaknesses can lead defenders to review execution techniques and command interpreter telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2017-20215 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- Zero Science Lab Vulnerability AdvisoryCVE reference · third-party-advisory
- Exploit Database Entry 42788CVE reference · exploit
- Packet Storm Security Exploit ArchiveCVE reference · exploit
- CXSecurity Vulnerability ListingCVE reference · third-party-advisory
- Archived FLIR Security AdvisoryCVE reference · vendor-advisory, patch
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.