CVE-2025-2442: Insecure Default Privilege Escalation

CVE-2025-2442 Overview

CVE-2025-2442 is an Initialization of a Resource with an Insecure Default vulnerability [CWE-1188] disclosed in a Schneider Electric radio product. An attacker with physical access to the device can restore it to factory default mode, bypassing configured security controls. The reset places the device into a state where confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the radio and its downstream operations can be compromised. Schneider Electric published details in security notice SEVD-2025-098-02.

Critical Impact
Physical access to the affected radio allows an attacker to force factory default mode, removing hardened configuration and enabling unauthorized access to the device.

Affected Products

Schneider Electric radio product referenced in advisory SEVD-2025-098-02
Refer to the vendor advisory for the full list of affected model numbers and firmware versions
Deployments where the radio is physically reachable by non-authorized personnel

Discovery Timeline

2025-04-09 - CVE-2025-2442 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-2442

Vulnerability Analysis

The weakness stems from an insecure default state applied when the radio is reset to factory settings. Once triggered, the device reverts to a configuration that lacks the hardening applied during commissioning. This includes any custom access controls, network parameters, and credentials configured by the operator.

Exploitation requires physical proximity and low complexity. No prior authentication or user interaction is needed once the attacker can manipulate the device. Because the vulnerability affects the initialization pathway, no memory corruption or remote traffic is required; the attacker leverages the intended factory reset function to place the device into a weakened state.

Impact spans confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the radio itself. Downstream operational technology (OT) systems that trust the radio for communications or control signaling may inherit the risk if the attacker uses the reset device as an entry point.

Root Cause

The root cause is an insecure default configuration [CWE-1188] applied during the factory reset routine. The device does not enforce authentication or preserve security-relevant configuration during the reset flow, allowing anyone with physical access to strip protections.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is physical (AV:P). An adversary with hands-on access to the radio initiates the factory reset function and then interacts with the device in its default, unhardened state. See the Schneider Electric Security Notice SEVD-2025-098-02 for the vendor-authored technical description.

No verified exploit code is available for CVE-2025-2442.
Refer to vendor advisory SEVD-2025-098-02 for technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-2442

Indicators of Compromise

Radio devices reporting default configuration values or default network identifiers after a period of normal operation
Loss of previously configured management credentials or access control lists on the device
Unexplained reboot or configuration-change events in device logs, particularly near physical access points

Detection Strategies

Baseline each radio's configuration hash and alert on drift back to factory defaults
Correlate device configuration-change events with physical access logs from badge readers and door controllers
Monitor OT network segments for the appearance of devices advertising default identifiers or default SSIDs

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward device syslog and management-plane events to a centralized SIEM for continuous review
Enable tamper alarms and enclosure-open sensors where the radio hardware supports them
Schedule periodic configuration audits comparing running configuration against a signed golden image

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-2442

Immediate Actions Required

Review the Schneider Electric Security Notice SEVD-2025-098-02 and apply the vendor's recommended remediation for affected models
Inventory all deployed radios and validate their physical security posture
Restrict physical access to the devices using locked enclosures, cages, or controlled equipment rooms

Patch Information

Schneider Electric documents remediation and configuration guidance in advisory SEVD-2025-098-02. Operators should follow the vendor's version-specific instructions and apply any firmware updates or configuration changes referenced in that notice.

Workarounds

Deploy the radio in tamper-resistant enclosures with lock-and-key or electronic access control
Segment radios onto isolated OT network zones so a reset device cannot pivot into production systems
Enable and monitor physical intrusion detection (door contacts, cabinet sensors) at all radio installation sites
Enforce a change-management process that revalidates device configuration after any maintenance activity

bash

# Configuration example: periodic configuration integrity check (conceptual)
# Compare current device config against a signed golden baseline
diff <(ssh radio-admin@radio-01 'show running-config') ./baselines/radio-01.cfg \
  && echo "Configuration matches baseline" \
  || echo "ALERT: Configuration drift detected on radio-01"