Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessObtain SSH login to Axis device
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ExploitWrite crafted entry to local config file
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ExecutionImproper input validation triggers code execution
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ImpactEscalate privileges on device
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A01:2025 - Broken Access Control
ASVS 5.0
V13 - Configuration Permission assignment review
|
| Exploitation Conditions | The attacker must be able to log in to the target Axis device over SSH with valid credentials (CVSS PR:L; the vendor states exploitation is possible ONLY with SSH login), and the device must be running an affected AXIS OS build (12.0.0 up to but not including 12.10.36). Given SSH access, the attacker writes to a specific local configuration file whose input is improperly validated (CWE-732), yielding code execution and potential privilege escalation. Limiting factors: no anonymous/unauthenticated path exists - SSH access to Axis devices is credential-gated and typically not exposed to untrusted networks by default; no user interaction by a victim is required (UI:N), but the credential prerequisite is the decisive constraint on real-world exploitability. The exact configuration file and the nature of the validation failure are not described in the available sources. |
| Impact | The signals point to a serious-but-gated issue rather than a drop-everything emergency. The CVSS base score of 8.8 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N, total C/I/A impact) is driven high by the complete technical impact and low attack complexity, and SSVC confirms Technical Impact: total. However, the network vector (AV:N) must be read against the vendor's explicit precondition: the flaw 'can only be exploited if an attacker can log in to the Axis device using SSH.' This reconciles with PR:L (the attacker needs valid, if low-privilege, device credentials) - AV:N is accurate only in the sense that SSH is reached over the network, not that this is remote-unauthenticated. Every exploitation-likelihood signal is low: EPSS is 0.05% (17th percentile), SSVC Exploitation is 'none', SSVC Automatable is 'no', there is no CISA KEV listing, and no public exploit was identified. The vuln.today priority is 'this_week' - meaning prioritized remediation within the patch cycle, not act_now/emergency. Net: a high-severity, high-impact flaw whose real-world risk is substantially constrained by the SSH-authentication prerequisite and the absence of any exploitation activity. Treat it as a this-week patching priority for exposed/SSH-enabled Axis fleets, not a widespread active-exploitation crisis. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker who already holds SSH login access to an Axis device (for example via stolen, default, or shared operator credentials) logs in and writes malicious content into a configuration file on the local file system. Because that file's input is improperly validated, the crafted content is processed and leads to code execution, potentially escalating the attacker's privileges on the device. No public exploit code was identified at time of analysis, so this is a plausible path derived from the vendor description rather than a demonstrated PoC. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv2 – Oct 26, 2026
Code execution with potential privilege escalation in AXIS OS 12.0.0 through 12.10.35 is reachable only after an attacker authenticates to the device over SSH; a local configuration file with improper validation then lets that logged-in user execute code and potentially elevate privileges. Axis has released a fix in AXIS OS 12.10.36, and no public exploit was identified at time of analysis; EPSS is 0.05% (17th percentile) and CISA SSVC records no known exploitation, so the SSH credential prerequisite remains the practical gate on real-world risk.
Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
Improper input validation in an Axis OS configuration file allows authenticated SSH users to execute code and potentially escalate privileges. The vulnerability requires valid SSH credentials but affects all Axis OS versions, making it a significant risk for organizations running Axis network devices with SSH access exposed or shared credentials.
RemediationAI
Vendor-released patch: upgrade to AXIS OS 12.10.36 or later, the fixed version listed by the vendor and EUVD; the advisory PDF at https://www.axis.com/dam/public/69/df/8d/cve-2026-1185pdf-en-US-530733.pdf should be used to confirm the correct build for each device model and to check the supported upgrade path from 12.0.0-12.10.35. Because Axis states the flaw can only be exploited by an attacker who can log in over SSH, reducing that prerequisite limits exposure while upgrades are staged: keep SSH management interfaces off untrusted networks and reachable only from trusted administrative hosts, and remove SSH access for accounts that do not require it, accepting that this restricts remote administration convenience. No public exploit code was identified at time of analysis, and CISA SSVC records no known exploitation, so remediation can follow the vendor's normal release cadence rather than an emergency response.
Affected VersionsENISA
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 1 package in euvd
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Technical ContextAI · show details
AXIS OS is the Linux-based firmware that runs Axis network cameras, intercoms, access control and audio devices. CWE-732 (Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource) frames the root cause: a configuration file on the local file system is insufficiently validated, so a user who can already reach the device over SSH can influence its contents in a way that leads to code execution and possibly privilege escalation. The CVSS vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H confirms a network-reachable, authenticated (PR:L), no-user-interaction profile with high confidentiality and integrity impact; the vendor states the sole precondition is the ability to log in to the device over SSH, and the CPE string cpe:2.3:a:axis_communications_ab:axis_os ties the issue to AXIS OS itself rather than a separate component. The available sources do not identify the specific configuration file, the exact validation failure, or the code path that consumes the file, so the precise trigger is not described in the available sources.
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Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
SSH is reached over the network so AV:N with AC:L; the required SSH login maps to PR:L (not PR:N), and code execution with privilege escalation yields total C/I/A on an unchanged scope.
Primary rating from NVD.
CVSS VectorNVD
Lifecycle Timeline
5DescriptionNVD
A configuration file on the local file system had improper input validation which could allow code execution and potentially lead to privilege escalation. This vulnerability can only be exploited if an attacker can log in to the Axis device using SSH.
Executive ViewAI
Axis has disclosed a high-severity vulnerability in its AXIS OS camera firmware that could allow an authenticated SSH user to execute code and escalate privileges. While exploitation requires valid credentials, the large installed base of Axis devices in physical security environments makes this a priority for organizations relying on these systems.
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Threat Intelligence Overview
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Privilege escalation occurs when an attacker leverages flaws in access control mechanisms to gain permissions beyond what they were originally granted.
Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.
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