CVE-2025-41270 Overview
CVE-2025-41270 is an OS Command Injection vulnerability [CWE-78] in the Console WebUI of Waterfall Security WF-500 TX and RX Hosts running firmware version 7.9.1.0 R2502171040. The flaw allows remote, unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands on the affected device. Nozomi Networks Labs identified and reported the issue to the vendor. The WF-500 is a unidirectional security gateway commonly deployed in operational technology (OT) and industrial control system (ICS) environments to enforce one-way data transfer between segmented networks. Successful exploitation grants attackers a foothold on a security-critical boundary device.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can execute arbitrary OS commands on a network security gateway, compromising the integrity of segmentation between IT and OT networks.
Affected Products
- Waterfall Security WF-500 TX Host firmware version 7.9.1.0 R2502171040
- Waterfall Security WF-500 RX Host firmware version 7.9.1.0 R2502171040
- Waterfall Security WF-500 hardware appliance
Discovery Timeline
- Vulnerability identified by Nozomi Networks Labs
- 2026-05-29 - CVE-2025-41270 published to NVD
- 2026-06-01 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-41270
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Console WebUI component of the WF-500 TX and RX Hosts. The interface fails to properly neutralize special characters in user-supplied input before passing it to an underlying operating system shell. An attacker who can reach the management interface over the network can craft a request that breaks out of the intended command context and injects arbitrary shell commands. Because no authentication is required, exploitation requires only network reachability to the management interface. Successful command execution runs with the privileges of the WebUI service on the host.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command [CWE-78]. The WebUI builds command strings by concatenating user-controlled values into shell invocations without validation, allowlisting, or argument-array separation. Metacharacters such as ;, |, &, backticks, and $() are interpreted by the shell rather than treated as literal data.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network against the Console WebUI endpoint. The attacker sends a crafted HTTP request containing shell metacharacters in a vulnerable parameter. The injected commands execute on the WF-500 host, which provides an attacker with command execution on a device that bridges trust zones. From this position an attacker can disrupt unidirectional transfer integrity, persist on the gateway, or pivot toward connected industrial networks.
// No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available.
// Refer to the Nozomi Networks advisory for technical details:
// https://www.nozominetworks.com/labs/vulnerability-advisories-cve-2025-41270
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-41270
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected HTTP POST or GET requests to the WF-500 Console WebUI containing shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &&, backticks, or $() in parameter values.
- New or unfamiliar processes spawned by the WebUI service account on TX or RX Hosts.
- Outbound connections from the WF-500 host to attacker-controlled infrastructure, which would be anomalous for a unidirectional gateway.
- Unexplained modifications to configuration files, cron jobs, or startup scripts on the appliance.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web access and application logs from the WF-500 Console WebUI for parameter values containing command separators or encoded shell syntax.
- Baseline normal process activity on TX and RX Hosts and alert on any child processes of the WebUI service that fall outside that baseline.
- Monitor the management network segment for unauthenticated access attempts to the WF-500 administrative interface.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward WF-500 system, audit, and WebUI logs to a centralized SIEM for retention and correlation with network telemetry.
- Enable network flow logging on the management VLAN and alert on any new source addresses initiating sessions to the WF-500 WebUI.
- Track firmware version reporting from the appliance so that unpatched hosts are continuously visible to the security team.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-41270
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the WF-500 Console WebUI to a dedicated management network and a defined allowlist of administrator hosts.
- Block all inbound access to the WebUI from untrusted networks at the perimeter and at internal firewalls.
- Audit existing WF-500 deployments for firmware version 7.9.1.0 R2502171040 and prioritize remediation on those systems.
- Review WebUI and host logs for signs of prior exploitation before applying any updates.
Patch Information
Waterfall Security has been notified by Nozomi Networks Labs. Refer to the Nozomi Networks Vulnerability Advisory for the current patch status and vendor-supplied fixed versions. Apply the vendor-supplied firmware update to all TX and RX Hosts as soon as it is available and validated for the deployment.
Workarounds
- Place the WF-500 management interface behind a jump host that enforces multi-factor authentication and session logging.
- Disable or firewall the Console WebUI when administrative access is not actively required.
- Apply strict ACLs on upstream switches and routers so that only authorized administrative subnets can reach the WebUI TCP ports.
# Example: restrict access to the WF-500 management interface using iptables
# Replace 10.10.0.0/24 with your authorized management subnet
# and <WF500_IP> with the appliance address
iptables -A FORWARD -s 10.10.0.0/24 -d <WF500_IP> -p tcp --dport 443 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A FORWARD -d <WF500_IP> -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.
