CVE-2018-16158
CVE-2018-16158 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Eaton Power Xpert Meter 4000 Firmware with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 35% places it in the 98th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-798.
Key facts
- Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
- CVSS v2: 10.0
- EPSS exploit prediction: 35% (98th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-798
- Affected product: Eaton Power Xpert Meter 4000 Firmware
- Published:
- Last modified:
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.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2018-16158?
- 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.
- How severe is CVE-2018-16158?
- CVE-2018-16158 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2018-16158 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 35% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2018-16158?
- CVE-2018-16158 primarily affects Eaton Power Xpert Meter 4000 Firmware. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2018-16158?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2018-16158 published?
- CVE-2018-16158 was published on 2018-08-30 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://www.eaton.com/content/dam/eaton/company/news-insights/cybersecurity/security-bulletins/PXM-Advisory.pdf
- https://www.ctrlu.net/vuln/0006.html
- https://github.com/BrianWGray/msf/blob/master/exploits/linux/ssh/eaton_known_privkey.rb
Affected products (3)
- cpe:2.3:o:eaton:power_xpert_meter_4000_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:eaton:power_xpert_meter_6000_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:eaton:power_xpert_meter_8000_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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