CVE-2017-20215 in Thermal Camera FC-S
Summary
by MITRE • 01/08/2026
FLIR Thermal Camera FC-S/PT firmware version 8.0.0.64 contains an authenticated OS command injection vulnerability that allows attackers to execute shell commands with root privileges. Authenticated attackers can inject arbitrary shell commands through unvalidated input parameters to gain complete control of the thermal camera system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2026
The FLIR Thermal Camera FC-S/PT firmware version 8.0.0.64 contains a critical authenticated operating system command injection vulnerability that represents a significant security risk for industrial and commercial thermal imaging systems. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category of Command Injection, specifically manifesting as an authenticated OS command injection flaw that allows attackers with valid credentials to execute arbitrary shell commands with root privileges. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation within the firmware's parameter handling mechanisms, creating a path for malicious command execution that bypasses normal authentication and authorization controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the firmware's failure to properly sanitize or validate input parameters that are subsequently passed to operating system commands without adequate filtering or escaping mechanisms. When authenticated users submit crafted input through specific parameters, the system processes these inputs directly within shell contexts, enabling attackers to inject malicious commands that execute with the highest privileges available to the application. This flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the principle of insufficient input validation, where user-supplied data flows directly into system commands without proper sanitization or context-aware escaping. The vulnerability affects the device's web interface and potentially other authenticated management interfaces that process user input parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the thermal camera system and its underlying operating environment. An attacker with authenticated access can execute arbitrary commands including but not limited to creating new user accounts, modifying system configurations, accessing or exfiltrating stored thermal imaging data, disabling security features, or establishing persistent access through backdoor creation. This level of control represents a severe compromise of the device's integrity and confidentiality, potentially enabling attackers to use the thermal camera as a pivot point for broader network infiltration or to conduct surveillance operations. The root privilege execution capability means that even network segmentation measures may be bypassed, as the attacker can manipulate system-level processes and files directly.
Organizations implementing FLIR Thermal Camera FC-S/PT systems must prioritize immediate remediation through firmware updates provided by FLIR Systems to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy includes implementing network segmentation controls to limit access to the device management interfaces, enforcing strict access controls with multi-factor authentication, and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous command execution patterns or unusual network traffic originating from the thermal camera devices. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their entire thermal imaging infrastructure and implement continuous monitoring for similar command injection vulnerabilities across other networked devices and systems that may be susceptible to similar flaws. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper security hardening practices in embedded systems, particularly those with remote management capabilities that may be exposed to untrusted network environments.