CVE-2025-41273: Waterfall WF-500 Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2025-41273 Overview

CVE-2025-41273 is an authentication bypass vulnerability affecting 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, classified as [CWE-288: Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel]. Remote unauthenticated attackers can bypass authentication on the Console web application and perform actions with the privileges of an authenticated user. The Waterfall WF-500 is a unidirectional gateway deployed in operational technology (OT) and industrial control system (ICS) environments to isolate critical networks.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can fully compromise the management console of a security gateway deployed to enforce network segmentation in OT environments, undermining the integrity of isolated 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 and reported by Nozomi Networks Labs
2026-05-29 - CVE-2025-41273 published to NVD
2026-06-01 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-41273

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the Console WebUI component of the Waterfall WF-500 firmware. The authentication mechanism fails to validate access across all available request paths or channels exposed by the web application. An attacker who reaches the management interface over the network can submit requests through an alternate path that bypasses the primary authentication check. Once the bypass succeeds, the attacker interacts with the Console as if authenticated and can invoke administrative functionality. Because the WF-500 enforces network segmentation between trust zones, compromise of its Console undermines the security posture of every network it protects.

Root Cause

The root cause maps to CWE-288. The application enforces authentication on the primary access path but exposes an alternate path or channel that reaches privileged functions without validating the requester's identity. This is a design weakness in how the Console WebUI routes and authorizes incoming HTTP requests.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requires no privileges, and requires no user interaction. An attacker with network reachability to the WF-500 Console WebUI sends crafted HTTP requests targeting the alternate path. Successful exploitation grants the attacker the ability to perform actions reserved for authenticated administrators. No public proof-of-concept code or in-the-wild exploitation has been reported as of publication. Technical specifics are described in the Nozomi Networks Vulnerability Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-41273

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected HTTP requests to the WF-500 Console WebUI from source addresses outside the management VLAN.
Administrative actions in Console audit logs that do not correspond to a preceding authenticated session.
New or modified configuration on WF-500 TX or RX Hosts without an associated change record.
Outbound connections from the WF-500 appliance to addresses not aligned with normal operational baselines.

Detection Strategies

Inspect web access logs on the WF-500 for requests reaching privileged endpoints without a corresponding authenticated session identifier.
Correlate Console configuration changes against authenticated user sessions to flag actions performed via the alternate path.
Deploy network intrusion detection signatures that flag unauthenticated HTTP requests to management endpoints of the WF-500.

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward WF-500 Console and system logs to a centralized SIEM or data lake and alert on administrative actions outside maintenance windows.
Monitor north-south and east-west traffic to the WF-500 management interface and alert on any source outside the authorized administration subnet.
Baseline the volume and pattern of authentication events on the Console and alert on deviations consistent with bypass attempts.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-41273

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict network access to the WF-500 Console WebUI to a dedicated management network using firewall rules and access control lists.
Block all access to the Console WebUI from production, OT, and untrusted networks until a patched firmware is applied.
Review WF-500 audit logs and configuration state for unauthorized changes consistent with exploitation.
Contact Waterfall Security support to obtain remediation guidance specific to firmware version 7.9.1.0 R2502171040.

Patch Information

Refer to the Nozomi Networks Vulnerability Advisory for vendor-supplied remediation status. Operators of Waterfall WF-500 TX and RX Hosts running firmware 7.9.1.0 R2502171040 should apply the fixed firmware version provided by Waterfall Security as soon as it is available.

Workarounds

Place the WF-500 Console WebUI behind a jump host that enforces strong multi-factor authentication for administrators.
Disable or firewall the Console WebUI when active administration is not required.
Segment the WF-500 management interface from all networks except a hardened administrative bastion.
Enforce strict source-IP allow lists at the network layer in front of the appliance.

bash

# Example: restrict access to the WF-500 Console WebUI to a management subnet
# Replace 10.10.50.0/24 with your authorized administration subnet
# Replace 192.0.2.10 with the WF-500 management IP
iptables -A FORWARD -s 10.10.50.0/24 -d 192.0.2.10 -p tcp --dport 443 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A FORWARD -d 192.0.2.10 -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP