CVE-2025-0674: Elber Authentication Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2025-0674 Overview

Multiple Elber products are affected by an authentication bypass vulnerability which allows unauthorized access to the password management functionality. Attackers can exploit this issue by manipulating the endpoint to overwrite any user's password within the system. This grants them unauthorized administrative access to protected areas of the application, compromising the device's system security.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability enables complete authentication bypass, allowing attackers to overwrite arbitrary user passwords and gain full administrative control over affected Elber devices without any prior authentication.

Affected Products

• Multiple Elber broadcast and transmission products
• Elber ICS/SCADA equipment (see CISA advisory for complete list)
• Network-accessible Elber devices with web management interfaces

Discovery Timeline

• February 7, 2025 - CVE-2025-0674 published to NVD
• February 7, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-0674

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-288 (Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel). The authentication bypass occurs within the password management functionality of affected Elber products, allowing attackers to circumvent normal authentication mechanisms entirely.

The vulnerability affects network-accessible devices, meaning remote attackers can exploit this flaw without requiring any prior authentication or user interaction. Once exploited, attackers gain the ability to overwrite any user's password within the system, effectively taking complete control of the device's administrative functions.

The impact is severe across all security dimensions—confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all compromised when an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability. Affected devices are typically deployed in industrial control system (ICS) environments, specifically in broadcast and transmission infrastructure, making this a significant concern for critical infrastructure operators.

Root Cause

The root cause stems from improper implementation of authentication controls in the password management endpoint. The application fails to properly validate authentication state before allowing access to password modification functions. This allows attackers to directly access and manipulate the password management functionality through an alternate path that bypasses the intended authentication mechanism.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based, requiring no authentication, privileges, or user interaction. An attacker with network access to the vulnerable device can directly manipulate the password management endpoint to overwrite credentials for any user account, including administrative accounts.

The exploitation flow involves:

1. An attacker identifies a network-accessible Elber device running vulnerable firmware
2. The attacker accesses the password management endpoint directly, bypassing authentication controls
3. The attacker overwrites the password for an administrative user account
4. Using the new credentials, the attacker gains full administrative access to the device

Due to the nature of this vulnerability, exploitation is straightforward and requires minimal technical sophistication. For detailed technical information, refer to the CISA ICS Advisory ICSA-25-035-03.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-0674

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected password changes for user accounts on affected Elber devices
• Unauthorized access to administrative interfaces from unknown IP addresses
• Log entries showing direct access to password management endpoints without prior authentication
• Configuration changes made by accounts that were previously inactive or unknown

Detection Strategies

• Monitor network traffic for unauthorized access attempts to Elber device management interfaces
• Implement alerting for any password modification requests on affected devices
• Deploy network intrusion detection rules to identify exploitation attempts targeting the authentication bypass
• Audit access logs for direct requests to password management endpoints that bypass normal login flows

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable and centralize logging for all Elber device administrative actions
• Configure alerts for any administrative credential modifications
• Monitor for new or unauthorized network connections to device management ports
• Implement network segmentation monitoring to detect lateral movement from compromised ICS devices

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-0674

Immediate Actions Required

• Isolate affected Elber devices from internet-accessible networks immediately
• Implement network segmentation to restrict access to management interfaces to trusted networks only
• Review and audit all user accounts on affected devices for unauthorized changes
• Reset all administrative credentials after confirming device integrity
• Apply vendor-provided patches when available

Patch Information

Organizations should consult the CISA ICS Advisory ICSA-25-035-03 for detailed patch information and affected product versions. Contact Elber directly for firmware updates addressing this vulnerability. Apply patches in accordance with your organization's change management procedures after testing in a non-production environment.

Workarounds

• Place affected devices behind a firewall and isolate them from business networks
• Implement VPN access requirements for remote management of affected devices
• Use firewall rules to restrict access to management interfaces to specific trusted IP addresses only
• Disable remote management capabilities if not operationally required
• Implement additional authentication layers such as network-level authentication before device access

# Example network isolation configuration
# Restrict access to Elber device management interface to trusted admin subnet only
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -s 10.0.100.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.0.100.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP