CVE-2018-16158: eaton power_xpert_meter_4000_firmware Use of Hard-coded Credentials
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2018-16158 is a high (CVSS 10.0) Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerability in eaton power_xpert_meter_4000_firmware. EPSS estimates a 34.93% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 98.4% of scored vulnerabilities. 3 public exploits are recorded.
Timeline
- 30-08-2018PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 17-09-2024Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
Eaton Power Xpert Meter 4000, 6000, and 8000 devices before 13.4.0.10 have a single SSH private key across different customers' installations and do not properly restrict access to this key, which makes it easier for remote attackers to perform SSH logins (to uid 0) via the PubkeyAuthentication option.
CVSS metrics
2 scores · 1 source · 2 versionsEPSS trend
Probability
34.93%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
98%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
+3.23 pp
From 31.70% on 21-09-2026
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogsNot in any of the 3 tracked catalogs.
Public exploits
3 foundMsf
Maturity: poc
Exploit Reference (ctrlu.net)
Maturity: unknown
Eaton Xpert Meter SSH Private Key Exposure Scanner
auxiliary/scanner/ssh/eaton_xpert_backdoor
Maturity: poc
Weaknesses
CWE · root causeAffected systems
Eaton3 products
- power_xpert_meter_4000_firmware< 13.4.0.10
- power_xpert_meter_6000_firmware< 13.4.0.10
- power_xpert_meter_8000_firmware< 13.4.0.10
1 vendor · 3 products
References
3 links- github.com/BrianWGray/msf/blob/master/exploits/linux/ssh/eaton_known_privkey.rbExploitThird Party Advisory