CVE-2026-55394 in Aware2
Summary
by MITRE • 10/01/2026
Unencrypted traffic in the 802.11 network of Teledyne FLIR Aware2 versions through 6.9.0.2 allows adjacent unauthenticated attackers to intercept, hijack, or modify session traffic against Teledyne FLIR PackBot robots running this software via sniffing or hijacking network traffic.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2026
The vulnerability identified in Teledyne FLIR Aware2 versions through 6.9.0.2 represents a critical failure in the security architecture of wireless communication protocols used within industrial and robotic control systems. The core technical flaw lies in the transmission of data over an IEEE 802.11 network without implementing adequate encryption mechanisms, such as WPA3 or robust application-layer encryption like TLS. In standard cybersecurity practice, unencrypted traffic is transmitted in plaintext, making it trivially accessible to any device within radio range that possesses a wireless interface capable of promiscuous mode operation. This design oversight fundamentally undermines the confidentiality and integrity requirements necessary for secure remote operations of robotic assets such as Teledyne FLIR PackBot robots.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability allows adjacent unauthenticated attackers to perform passive reconnaissance by sniffing network traffic or active attacks involving session hijacking and modification. Because the attacker does not need valid credentials to access the wireless medium, they can intercept sensitive telemetry data, command-and-control signals, and video feeds transmitted between the robot and its control station. The ability to modify this unencrypted traffic enables man-in-the-middle scenarios where an adversary could inject malicious commands into the session stream. This capability poses a severe risk of unauthorized physical manipulation of the robotic hardware, potentially leading to mission failure, equipment damage, or safety hazards in operational environments such as hazardous material handling or surveillance missions.
The classification of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-319, which defines cleartext transmission of sensitive information over an exposed channel. Furthermore, from a tactical standpoint relevant to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this flaw facilitates techniques associated with Network Sniffing (T1040) and potentially Man-in-the-Middle attacks (T1557). The lack of authentication for network access further exacerbates the risk by allowing any nearby entity to establish a connection point without verification. This absence of mutual authentication means that the robot cannot verify the identity of the control station, nor can it detect if an unauthorized device is impersonating the legitimate controller.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize the immediate implementation of strong encryption standards for all wireless communications involving these robotic systems. Upgrading to firmware versions beyond 6.9.0.2 where this issue has been addressed is essential, provided that such updates include robust cryptographic implementations like WPA3-Enterprise or AES-GCM based application layer security. Additionally, network segmentation should be employed to isolate the operational technology networks from general corporate IT infrastructure and public-facing wireless zones. Implementing strict access control lists on wireless access points can also limit connectivity to only authorized hardware MAC addresses, thereby reducing the attack surface available for adjacent attackers attempting to exploit this plaintext transmission vulnerability.