CVE-2025-47419: Crestron Automate VX Info Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2025-47419 Overview

CVE-2025-47419 is a Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information vulnerability (CWE-319) affecting Crestron Automate VX. The device allows Web UI and API access over non-secure network ports, which exposes sensitive information such as user passwords to network traffic sniffing attacks.

This vulnerability enables attackers positioned on the same network segment to passively intercept authentication credentials and other sensitive data transmitted between users and the Crestron Automate VX system.

Critical Impact

Network attackers can intercept user passwords and sensitive information transmitted in cleartext, potentially leading to complete system compromise, unauthorized access to building automation controls, and lateral movement within enterprise networks.

Affected Products

• Crestron Automate VX versions 5.6.8161.21536 through 6.4.0.49
• Crestron Automate VX Web UI interface
• Crestron Automate VX API endpoints

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-05-06 - CVE-2025-47419 published to NVD
• 2025-05-07 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-47419

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from insecure communication practices in Crestron Automate VX building automation software. The system exposes both its Web UI and API interfaces over unencrypted HTTP connections rather than requiring HTTPS/TLS encryption. When administrators or users authenticate to the management interface, their credentials are transmitted across the network in plaintext, making them trivially interceptable by any attacker with network access.

Building automation systems like Crestron Automate VX control critical infrastructure including HVAC, lighting, security systems, and access controls. Compromising such systems could enable attackers to manipulate physical building controls, disable security measures, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for further network intrusion.

Root Cause

The root cause is the absence of mandatory transport layer encryption (TLS/SSL) for sensitive communications. The Automate VX software permits connections over standard HTTP on non-secure ports, failing to enforce encrypted channels for authentication and API interactions. This design flaw violates fundamental secure communication principles and exposes credentials during transmission.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring the attacker to have a position on the same network segment as either the Crestron Automate VX device or legitimate users accessing it. An attacker can employ passive network sniffing techniques using tools like Wireshark, tcpdump, or similar packet capture utilities to intercept HTTP traffic.

When a legitimate user authenticates to the Web UI or when an application makes API calls to the Automate VX system, the attacker captures the cleartext credentials. These credentials can then be used to gain full administrative access to the building automation system. The attack requires no user interaction beyond normal system usage and can be conducted entirely passively, making detection extremely difficult.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-47419

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP traffic to Crestron Automate VX devices on ports typically associated with unencrypted web traffic (port 80)
• Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful authentication from different source IPs
• Administrative actions performed from unexpected network locations or during unusual hours
• Network traffic analysis revealing cleartext credential patterns in packet captures

Detection Strategies

• Deploy network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) to monitor for cleartext authentication traffic to/from Crestron devices
• Implement network segmentation monitoring to detect unauthorized devices attempting to capture traffic on automation network segments
• Configure SIEM rules to alert on authentication events from Crestron systems originating from previously unseen IP addresses
• Conduct regular network traffic analysis to identify any HTTP-based authentication occurring on the network

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive logging on Crestron Automate VX devices and forward logs to a central SIEM platform
• Monitor for ARP spoofing or other man-in-the-middle attack indicators on network segments containing vulnerable devices
• Track and baseline normal authentication patterns to identify anomalous access attempts
• Implement network flow analysis to detect passive sniffing activities

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-47419

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Crestron Automate VX to version 6.4.1.8 or later immediately, as referenced in the Crestron Automate VX Release Notes
• Isolate Crestron Automate VX devices on dedicated network segments with strict access controls
• Implement network-level encryption such as IPsec or VPN tunnels if direct device updates cannot be performed immediately
• Review and rotate all credentials that may have been exposed through cleartext transmission

Patch Information

Crestron has released version 6.4.1.8 of the Automate VX software to address this vulnerability. The updated software is available from the Crestron Software Portal. Organizations should consult the Crestron Security Resource page for additional security guidance and updates.

Workarounds

• Place Crestron Automate VX devices behind a reverse proxy that enforces HTTPS for all client connections
• Implement strict network segmentation to limit which devices and users can communicate with the Automate VX system
• Deploy 802.1X port-based network access control to prevent unauthorized devices from joining the automation network segment
• Use a VPN or encrypted tunnel for all administrative access to the Automate VX Web UI and API

# Example network segmentation using firewall rules
# Restrict access to Crestron Automate VX to authorized management hosts only
iptables -A INPUT -s 10.10.10.0/24 -d 192.168.100.50 -p tcp --dport 80 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -d 192.168.100.50 -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP

# Force all management traffic through VPN gateway
# Configure routing to ensure Automate VX traffic traverses encrypted tunnel
ip route add 192.168.100.50/32 via 10.0.0.1 dev tun0