Flir Ax8 Firmware: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command
CVE-2022-37061 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command vulnerability in Flir Ax8 Firmware from Flir, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Flir Ax8 Firmware versions: 1.46.16 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 99.6% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 0.05% of all scored CVEs.
Exploitation in the next 30 days is more likely than not, according to EPSS.
What to do
- Check which version of Flir Ax8 Firmware you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on flir.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flir | Flir Ax8 Firmware | 1.46.16 and earlier | Not stated |
Version data comes from NVD's product matching. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
Official description
All FLIR AX8 thermal sensor cameras version up to and including 1.46.16 are vulnerable to Remote Command Injection. This can be exploited to inject and execute arbitrary shell commands as the root user through the id HTTP POST parameter in the res.php endpoint. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with the root privileges. NOTE: The vendor has stated that with the introduction of firmware version 1.49.16 (Jan 2023) the FLIR AX8 should no longer be affected by the vulnerability reported. Latest firmware version (as of Oct 2025, was released Jun 2024) is 1.55.16.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command
The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command before it is sent to a downstream component.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
- For any data that will be used to generate a command to be executed, keep as much of that data out of external control as possible. For example, in web applications, this may require storing the data locally in the session's state instead of sending it out to the client in a hidden form field.
- For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command vulnerabilities (CWE-78)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Patches and release notes
- gist.github.com/Nwqda/9e16852ab7827dc62b8e44d6180a6899Exploit, Mitigation, Third Party Advisory
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/168114/FLIX-AX8-1.46.16-Remote-Command-Execution.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/168116/FLIR-AX8-1.46.16-Traversal-Access-Control-Command-Injection-XSS.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/169701/FLIR-AX8-1.46.16-Remote-Command-Injection.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- zeroscience.mk/en/vulnerabilities/ZSL-2018-5491.phpExploit, Third Party Advisory
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Flir Ax8 Firmware
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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