CVE-2025-14376: Verve Asset Manager Info Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2025-14376 Overview

A security issue was discovered within the legacy ADI server component of Verve Asset Manager, caused by plaintext secrets stored in environment variables on the ADI server. This vulnerability represents a significant information exposure risk where sensitive credentials and secrets are stored without adequate protection, potentially allowing attackers with local access to retrieve authentication tokens, API keys, or other sensitive data critical to the industrial control system environment.

Critical Impact

Plaintext storage of secrets in environment variables can lead to credential theft and unauthorized access to critical operational technology (OT) systems, potentially compromising industrial asset management infrastructure.

Affected Products

• Verve Asset Manager (ADI Server Component)
• Verve Asset Manager versions prior to 1.36

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-20 - CVE CVE-2025-14376 published to NVD
• 2026-01-20 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-14376

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability falls under CWE-922 (Insecure Storage of Sensitive Information), which occurs when an application stores sensitive information without properly limiting access to authorized users. In this case, the legacy ADI server component of Verve Asset Manager stores secrets in plaintext within environment variables, making them accessible to any process or user with local access to the server.

The vulnerability requires local access and high privileges to exploit, but the potential impact extends beyond the immediately compromised system. With valid credentials exposed, attackers could pivot to additional systems within the industrial control environment, leading to both vertical and horizontal privilege escalation across the asset management infrastructure.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the improper handling of sensitive credential information within the ADI server component. Instead of utilizing secure credential storage mechanisms such as encrypted credential stores, hardware security modules (HSMs), or secure vault solutions, the application stores secrets directly in environment variables. Environment variables are inherently insecure for storing secrets because they can be read by any process running under the same user context, may appear in process listings, can be logged inadvertently, and persist in memory.

Attack Vector

This vulnerability has a local attack vector, meaning an attacker would need some level of authenticated access to the system hosting the ADI server component. The attack sequence typically involves:

1. Gaining initial access to the target system through compromised credentials, physical access, or exploitation of another vulnerability
2. Enumerating environment variables using standard operating system commands
3. Extracting plaintext secrets from the exposed environment variables
4. Leveraging the stolen credentials to access additional systems or escalate privileges within the Verve Asset Manager environment

The vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial control system (ICS) environments where Verve Asset Manager is commonly deployed, as credential compromise could impact operational technology infrastructure.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-14376

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected access to environment variable listings by non-administrative users
• Anomalous authentication attempts using credentials associated with the ADI server component
• Process execution patterns indicating environment variable enumeration on ADI server hosts
• Unusual lateral movement originating from systems running the ADI server component

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for command execution that queries environment variables such as printenv, env, or set commands on ADI server hosts
• Implement file integrity monitoring on ADI server configuration and startup scripts
• Enable audit logging for all access to sensitive systems running legacy Verve Asset Manager components
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify credential theft behaviors

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure security information and event management (SIEM) rules to alert on suspicious environment variable access patterns
• Establish baseline behavior for ADI server component processes and alert on deviations
• Monitor authentication logs for use of credentials associated with the ADI server from unexpected sources
• Implement network segmentation monitoring to detect unauthorized lateral movement from ADI server hosts

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-14376

Immediate Actions Required

• Identify all systems running the legacy ADI server component of Verve Asset Manager
• Migrate away from the legacy ADI server component, which has been optional since the 1.36 release in 2024
• Rotate all credentials and secrets that may have been stored in plaintext environment variables
• Implement network segmentation to isolate any systems that cannot be immediately migrated

Patch Information

Rockwell Automation has published a security advisory regarding this vulnerability. The recommended remediation is to upgrade to Verve Asset Manager version 1.36 or later and disable or remove the legacy ADI server component, which has been retired. Organizations should review the Rockwell Automation Security Advisory for specific upgrade guidance and patch information.

Workarounds

• Disable the legacy ADI server component if it is not operationally required
• Implement strict access controls limiting which users and processes can access the ADI server host
• Use application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized enumeration of environment variables
• Deploy compensating controls such as network segmentation and enhanced monitoring while planning migration to supported versions

# Example: Restrict environment variable access on Linux hosts
# Limit permissions on sensitive configuration files
chmod 600 /etc/environment
chmod 600 ~/.bash_profile

# Audit environment variable access
auditctl -w /proc -p r -k env_access