CVE-2025-15349: Anritsu ShockLine SCPI RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-15349 Overview

CVE-2025-15349 is a race condition vulnerability affecting Anritsu ShockLine network analyzers that allows network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code without authentication. The vulnerability exists within the SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) component and results from the lack of proper locking when performing operations on an object, enabling attackers to leverage this flaw to execute code in the context of the current process.

Critical Impact

Network-adjacent attackers can achieve unauthenticated remote code execution on affected Anritsu ShockLine installations by exploiting a race condition in the SCPI component.

Affected Products

• Anritsu ShockLine (SCPI Component)

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-23 - CVE-2025-15349 published to NVD
• 2026-01-26 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-15349

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-362 (Race Condition), which occurs when the proper concurrency controls are not implemented for shared resources. In the context of the Anritsu ShockLine SCPI component, the lack of proper locking mechanisms allows multiple concurrent operations to manipulate the same object simultaneously, leading to undefined behavior that can be exploited for code execution.

The SCPI interface is commonly used for programmatic control of test and measurement instruments. When this interface fails to properly synchronize access to shared objects, an attacker on an adjacent network segment can craft malicious SCPI commands timed to exploit the race window, ultimately achieving arbitrary code execution within the process context of the SCPI handler.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper synchronization in the SCPI component's object handling routines. When performing operations on objects, the implementation does not acquire appropriate locks, creating a Time-of-Check Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) scenario where the state of an object can change between validation and use. This missing synchronization primitive allows attackers to manipulate object state during the race window.

Attack Vector

The attack vector requires network-adjacent positioning, meaning an attacker must be on the same local network segment as the vulnerable Anritsu ShockLine device. Once positioned, the attacker does not require authentication to exploit the vulnerability. The attack involves sending carefully timed SCPI commands that trigger concurrent access to shared objects, exploiting the race condition to corrupt memory or control flow structures.

The vulnerability mechanism involves sending specially crafted SCPI commands designed to trigger concurrent operations on shared objects within the SCPI handler. By precisely timing these commands, an attacker can exploit the window between check and use operations. For detailed technical information, refer to the Zero Day Initiative Advisory ZDI-25-1200.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-15349

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual SCPI command patterns or rapid command sequences targeting the ShockLine device from unexpected network sources
• Unexpected process crashes or restarts of SCPI-related services on Anritsu ShockLine devices
• Network traffic anomalies showing burst patterns of SCPI protocol communications from unauthorized hosts
• Evidence of code execution or unexpected child processes spawned from the SCPI service context

Detection Strategies

• Deploy network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) with rules to monitor for anomalous SCPI protocol traffic patterns on affected network segments
• Implement endpoint detection on systems interacting with ShockLine devices to identify exploitation attempts or post-exploitation activity
• Monitor for concurrent connection attempts to SCPI services that may indicate race condition exploitation attempts
• Enable detailed logging on ShockLine devices to capture SCPI command sequences for forensic analysis

Monitoring Recommendations

• Segment networks containing Anritsu ShockLine devices to limit exposure to adjacent network attackers
• Establish baseline SCPI communication patterns and alert on deviations from normal operational behavior
• Monitor process creation events on ShockLine devices for unexpected code execution

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-15349

Immediate Actions Required

• Isolate affected Anritsu ShockLine devices on dedicated network segments with strict access controls
• Implement firewall rules to restrict SCPI interface access to only authorized management hosts
• Audit network topology to identify all ShockLine devices potentially exposed to network-adjacent attackers
• Contact Anritsu support for guidance on available patches or firmware updates addressing this vulnerability

Patch Information

Refer to the Zero Day Initiative Advisory ZDI-25-1200 for the latest patch information from the vendor. Organizations should monitor Anritsu's security advisories for official firmware updates that address this race condition vulnerability in the SCPI component.

Workarounds

• Implement network segmentation to ensure ShockLine devices are only accessible from trusted management VLANs
• Deploy host-based firewalls or ACLs on network switches to restrict SCPI port access to authorized IP addresses only
• Consider disabling remote SCPI access entirely if not operationally required until a patch is available
• Enable any available authentication mechanisms on the SCPI interface if supported by the device configuration

# Network segmentation example - restrict SCPI access (port may vary by configuration)
# Example iptables rule to limit access to SCPI service
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 5025 -s 192.168.10.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 5025 -j DROP