CVE-2025-27454 Overview
CVE-2025-27454 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability [CWE-352] affecting the Endress MEAC300-FNADE4 firmware. The flaw allows an attacker to trick an authenticated user into submitting an unintended web request. The victim's browser automatically attaches saved authorization credentials, causing the application to execute the attacker-crafted request as if it originated from the legitimate user.
The MEAC300-FNADE4 is an industrial emission monitoring component used in operational technology (OT) environments. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized state changes within the application context of the logged-in user.
Critical Impact
An attacker can hijack authenticated sessions of MEAC300-FNADE4 operators through malicious links or crafted web pages, executing unauthorized actions in industrial monitoring environments.
Affected Products
- Endress MEAC300-FNADE4 (hardware device)
- Endress MEAC300-FNADE4 firmware (all versions listed in the vendor advisory)
- Industrial deployments relying on the MEAC300-FNADE4 web management interface
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-07-03 - CVE-2025-27454 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-27454
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from missing anti-CSRF protections in the MEAC300-FNADE4 web interface. The application accepts state-changing HTTP requests without validating an unpredictable, per-session token bound to the authenticated user. Any request that carries a valid session cookie is treated as legitimate.
An attacker crafts a malicious page or embeds a hidden form that targets an authenticated endpoint on the device. When a logged-in operator visits the attacker-controlled resource, the browser automatically attaches the session cookie and submits the forged request. The device processes the request under the victim's identity.
The impact is limited to integrity in the application scope. User interaction is required, and the attacker cannot directly read responses because of browser same-origin restrictions. However, blind state changes are sufficient to modify configuration values or trigger administrative actions available to the compromised session.
Root Cause
The root cause is the absence of CSRF countermeasures in the request handling pipeline. The application does not verify a synchronizer token, does not enforce SameSite cookie attributes, and does not validate the Origin or Referer headers on state-changing requests.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires the victim to interact with attacker-controlled content, such as clicking a link, loading an image tag from a hostile page, or visiting a website hosting an auto-submitting form. The victim must have an active authenticated session with the target MEAC300-FNADE4 device at the time of interaction.
No verified public exploit code or proof-of-concept has been published for this CVE. Refer to the SICK CSAF Advisory PDF for vendor-provided technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-27454
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected configuration changes or administrative actions recorded in MEAC300-FNADE4 audit logs during user browsing sessions.
- HTTP requests to the device web interface containing Referer or Origin headers pointing to unknown external domains.
- Session activity from a single authenticated user overlapping with browsing traffic to untrusted websites.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for state-changing POST, PUT, or DELETE requests missing a valid Referer or Origin header matching the device hostname.
- Correlate authenticated device requests with the workstation user's web proxy logs to identify cross-origin submissions.
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that flag or block state-changing requests lacking anti-CSRF tokens.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose audit logging on the MEAC300-FNADE4 device and forward events to a centralized SIEM for correlation with endpoint browsing telemetry.
- Monitor operator workstations for outbound connections to newly registered or low-reputation domains while device sessions are active.
- Track unusual configuration changes on the device outside of scheduled maintenance windows.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-27454
Immediate Actions Required
- Review the SICK PSIRT Overview and apply the firmware update or mitigation guidance published in advisory SCA-2025-0008.
- Restrict access to the MEAC300-FNADE4 web interface to a dedicated management VLAN reachable only from authorized engineering workstations.
- Instruct operators to log out of the device management interface after each session and avoid browsing external websites from workstations with active device sessions.
Patch Information
Endress and SICK have published advisory SCA-2025-0008 describing the vulnerability and vendor-recommended remediation. Refer to the SICK CSAF Advisory JSON and the SICK CSAF Advisory PDF for affected version ranges and fixed firmware releases.
Workarounds
- Segment the MEAC300-FNADE4 device in accordance with CISA ICS Recommended Practices, blocking direct internet exposure.
- Enforce browser isolation on engineering workstations so that administrative sessions cannot coexist with general web browsing.
- Configure network devices to strip or validate Referer and Origin headers on requests destined for the device management interface.
# Configuration example: restrict device management to engineering VLAN
iptables -A INPUT -i eth0 -s 10.20.30.0/24 -p tcp --dport 443 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -i eth0 -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
