Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
FLIR AX8 Thermal Camera firmware 1.32.16 reportedly includes built-in SSH and web interface credentials that users cannot change through normal operation. Anyone who can reach those services may be able to log in without prior access. This can expose camera feeds, device settings, and the camera as a foothold inside operational networks.
Executive priority
Prioritize discovery and isolation of affected cameras, especially in OT or safety-monitoring environments. The business risk is unauthorized control or surveillance through a device that may be trusted inside sensitive networks. If vendor remediation is unavailable, compensating network controls should be treated as urgent.
Technical view
CVE-2018-25138 is a CWE-798 hard-coded credentials issue affecting FLIR AX8 Thermal Camera version 1.32.16. The record describes predefined username and password combinations usable against SSH and web panel interfaces. CVSS 3.1 is 9.8, network exploitable, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Risk is highest where FLIR AX8 cameras on firmware 1.32.16 expose SSH or web management to corporate, OT, or internet-reachable networks. Exposure is lower if management interfaces are isolated, firewalled, or disabled. The sources do not identify other affected FLIR products or versions.
Exploitation context
A public Exploit-DB entry and Zero Science Lab disclosure are cited, indicating public technical knowledge exists. The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. Treat reachable devices as high-risk because hard-coded credentials are persistent and cannot be changed through normal camera operations.
Researcher notes
The provided record names only FLIR AX8 Thermal Camera 1.32.16. Do not assume broader FLIR impact without vendor evidence. Public exploit references exist, but active exploitation is not established in the bundle. The unusual CVE publication date in the source bundle should be verified against the CVE record during tracking.
Mitigation direction
- Identify all FLIR AX8 cameras and confirm firmware versions.
- Check FLIR vendor guidance for fixed firmware or official remediation.
- Restrict SSH and web management to trusted administration networks only.
- Block internet access to camera management interfaces.
- Disable SSH or web management if supported and operationally acceptable.
- Monitor for unauthorized logins or configuration changes.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether any AX8 device runs firmware 1.32.16.
- Verify SSH and web interfaces are not internet-exposed.
- Review firewall rules controlling access to camera management ports.
- Check authentication logs for unexpected successful logins.
- Document compensating controls where firmware cannot be remediated.
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-798: Credential and account abuse lookup
Authentication and credential weaknesses can make valid-account abuse and credential telemetry useful review starting points. 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 lookupCredential and access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references authentication or credential exposure, so valid-account and credential-access review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2018-25138 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
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/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:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.8CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- ExploitDB-45629CVE reference · exploit
- FLIR Systems Official Product HomepageCVE reference · product
- Zero Science Lab Disclosure (ZSL-2018-5494)CVE reference · third-party-advisory
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.
Use of Hard-coded Credentials
Use of Hard-coded Credentials represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.