Overview
CVE-2025-53963 describes a critical security vulnerability affecting Thermo Fisher Ion Torrent OneTouch 2 INS1005527 devices. These devices are vulnerable due to the presence of a weak default password for the root account. An attacker who can reach the device’s SSH server (port 22) can exploit this flaw to gain root access and execute arbitrary code. Important Note: This vulnerability affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.
Technical Details
The Thermo Fisher Ion Torrent OneTouch 2 device runs an SSH server exposed on the default port 22. The root account utilizes a default password of ionadmin. Critically, there is no enforced password change policy for the root account. This means that the default password remains active unless manually changed by the user. An attacker with network access to the device can attempt to log in via SSH using the default credentials. Successful authentication grants the attacker full root privileges, enabling them to execute arbitrary commands, modify system configurations, and potentially compromise sensitive data handled by the device.
CVSS Analysis
The reported CVSS score is N/A, and the severity is also listed as N/A. This likely reflects the fact that the product is no longer supported, and thus standard severity assessments are not applicable. However, the technical details of the vulnerability indicate a high level of risk if the device is still in operation. While an official CVSS score isn’t available, were this vulnerability in a supported product, it would likely receive a CVSS score in the critical range due to the ease of exploitation and the potential for complete system compromise.
Possible Impact
Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-53963 can have severe consequences, including:
- Complete System Compromise: Gaining root access allows an attacker to completely control the device.
- Data Breach: The attacker can access and exfiltrate sensitive data stored or processed by the device.
- Malware Installation: The attacker can install malware to further compromise the network or use the device as a launching point for other attacks.
- Denial of Service: The attacker can disrupt the normal operation of the device, potentially impacting critical workflows.
Mitigation or Patch Steps
Since the Thermo Fisher Ion Torrent OneTouch 2 device is no longer supported, official patches are unavailable. The following mitigation steps are recommended:
- Device Isolation: Isolate the device from the network to prevent unauthorized access. If isolation is not possible, place it behind a firewall and restrict access to only authorized IP addresses.
- Password Change (If Possible): If the device allows it, immediately change the root password to a strong, unique password. Even if the system is unsupported, changing the password reduces the attack surface. However, confirm that changing the password does not negatively impact device functionality.
- Monitor Network Traffic: Monitor network traffic to and from the device for any suspicious activity.
- Consider Replacement: If feasible, replace the device with a supported and secure alternative.
