Slovakia's national security service NBU has issued a security alert against NERO R-ONE high-speed traffic cameras, revealing a backdoor mechanism granting shell and network access via SMS from hardcoded Russian phone numbers. The cameras are a rebranded version of the CORDON PRO. M model produced by St. Petersburg-based firm Semicon.

Purchased as part of a €30 million EU-funded project, 279 cameras were slated for installation across Slovakia. The Interior Ministry initially denied Russian origin and claimed safety via a closed network, but the NBU found additional flaws: Secure Boot disabled, vulnerable web portals, and passwordless live streams. Deployment is paused pending independent audit.

Similar devices may exist in Croatia and other Eastern European countries.