CVE-2025-41271 Overview
CVE-2025-41271 is a relative path traversal vulnerability [CWE-23] in the Console WebUI of Waterfall Security WF-500 TX and RX Hosts running firmware version 7.9.1.0 R2502171040. Nozomi Networks Labs identified the flaw, which allows remote unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files from the affected device over the network. The Waterfall WF-500 is a unidirectional security gateway used in operational technology (OT) and industrial environments, making file disclosure on these systems a meaningful concern for segmented networks.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can read arbitrary files from WF-500 TX and RX hosts through the Console WebUI, exposing sensitive configuration, credentials, or operational data.
Affected Products
- Waterfall Security WF-500 firmware version 7.9.1.0 R2502171040
- Waterfall Security WF-500 TX Host
- Waterfall Security WF-500 RX Host
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-05-29 - CVE-2025-41271 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-01 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-41271
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Console WebUI component shipped with WF-500 TX and RX hosts. The web interface fails to sanitize user-supplied path components before resolving them against the local file system. Attackers can submit relative path sequences such as ../ to escape the intended document root and access files outside the served directory.
No authentication is required to reach the vulnerable endpoint, and the attack is delivered over the network. The CWE-23 classification indicates that the flaw stems from improper neutralization of relative path elements rather than from missing access controls. Successful exploitation yields the contents of files readable by the WebUI process, which on appliance-class devices often includes configuration files, system logs, and credential material.
Root Cause
The Console WebUI accepts a file or resource parameter and concatenates it with a base directory without canonicalizing the resulting path. Sequences containing .. are not stripped or rejected, so the resolved path can point to arbitrary locations on the underlying file system. This is a textbook relative path traversal pattern.
Attack Vector
An attacker reaches the WF-500 Console WebUI over a network path and issues a crafted HTTP request that embeds relative path traversal sequences in a file-handling parameter. Because authentication is not required, the only prerequisite is network reachability to the management interface. The vulnerability does not provide write access or code execution directly; the impact is confidentiality of files accessible to the WebUI service account.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. Refer to the Nozomi Networks Vulnerability Advisory for vendor-coordinated technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-41271
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to the WF-500 Console WebUI containing ../, ..\, or URL-encoded variants such as %2e%2e%2f in query strings or path segments.
- WebUI access log entries returning sensitive system paths such as /etc/passwd, /etc/shadow, or appliance configuration files.
- Unauthenticated requests from external or unexpected source addresses targeting file-serving endpoints of the management interface.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect reverse proxy and WebUI logs for path traversal patterns and decode URL-encoded payloads before pattern matching.
- Deploy network IDS or WAF signatures that flag traversal sequences targeting the WF-500 management port.
- Baseline normal WebUI request paths and alert on requests that resolve outside the expected document root.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward WF-500 WebUI and system logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation and long-term retention.
- Monitor management interfaces for unauthenticated access attempts and unusual file read volumes.
- Track outbound data flows from WF-500 hosts that could indicate exfiltration of disclosed files.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-41271
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the WF-500 Console WebUI so it is reachable only from a hardened management network or jump host.
- Audit WebUI access logs for traversal patterns and assume disclosure of any credentials or keys present on affected appliances.
- Rotate any secrets, certificates, or service account credentials that may have been readable through the WebUI process.
Patch Information
Consult the Nozomi Networks Vulnerability Advisory and Waterfall Security support channels for fixed firmware availability and upgrade guidance for WF-500 TX and RX hosts running 7.9.1.0 R2502171040.
Workarounds
- Place the WF-500 management interface behind a firewall or ACL that allows only trusted administrative IP addresses.
- Disable or block external access to the Console WebUI until a fixed firmware version is installed.
- Apply WAF or reverse proxy rules that reject requests containing .., %2e%2e, or other traversal encodings against the WebUI.
# Example iptables rule restricting WF-500 WebUI access to a management subnet
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.10.0.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -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.
