CVE-2025-49851 Overview
CVE-2025-49851 is an improper authentication vulnerability (CWE-287) affecting ControlID iDSecure On-premises, a physical access control system developed by ASSA ABLOY. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to bypass the product's authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized permissions within the system. This flaw is particularly concerning as it affects security infrastructure designed to control physical access to buildings and facilities.
Critical Impact
An attacker can bypass authentication controls in ControlID iDSecure, potentially gaining administrative access to physical access control systems without valid credentials.
Affected Products
- ControlID iDSecure On-premises version 4.7.48.0 and prior versions
- ASSA ABLOY ControlID iDSecure physical access control systems
- On-premises deployments of the iDSecure platform
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-06-24 - CVE-2025-49851 published to NVD
- 2025-07-02 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-49851
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the authentication mechanism of ControlID iDSecure On-premises. The improper authentication flaw (CWE-287) indicates that the application fails to properly verify user identity before granting access to protected functionality. This type of vulnerability typically arises when authentication checks are missing, improperly implemented, or can be circumvented through specially crafted requests.
Given the network-accessible attack vector and the lack of required user interaction or privileges, an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely without any prior authentication. The successful exploitation results in a high impact on confidentiality, potentially exposing sensitive access control data, user credentials, and building security configurations.
Root Cause
The root cause lies in improper authentication implementation within the iDSecure On-premises platform. The application does not adequately verify user credentials or session validity before processing requests to protected resources. This may include insufficient validation of authentication tokens, missing authorization checks on sensitive endpoints, or flawed session management that allows authentication bypass.
Attack Vector
The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without requiring any user interaction or prior access. An attacker positioned on the same network as the iDSecure system—or with access to it via the internet if exposed—can send specially crafted requests to bypass authentication controls. The attack requires low complexity to execute and does not necessitate any privileges, making it accessible to unskilled attackers once the technique is known.
The vulnerability specifically impacts confidentiality, allowing attackers to access sensitive information within the access control system. This could include door access schedules, user credentials, cardholder data, and physical security configurations. For detailed technical information, see the CISA ICS Advisory ICSA-25-175-05.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-49851
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual authentication attempts or access patterns to the iDSecure management interface
- Access to administrative functions without corresponding valid login events in audit logs
- Unexpected modifications to access control policies, user accounts, or door configurations
- Network traffic anomalies to the iDSecure server from untrusted sources
Detection Strategies
- Monitor authentication logs for successful access without corresponding credential validation events
- Implement network-level monitoring for unusual HTTP/HTTPS traffic patterns to iDSecure servers
- Deploy intrusion detection rules to identify requests attempting to bypass authentication endpoints
- Review audit logs for administrative actions that lack proper authentication context
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable comprehensive logging on the iDSecure platform and forward logs to a SIEM solution
- Implement real-time alerting for administrative access attempts outside of normal business hours
- Monitor network traffic to the iDSecure management interface for anomalous request patterns
- Conduct regular audits of access control configurations to detect unauthorized modifications
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-49851
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all ControlID iDSecure On-premises installations running version 4.7.48.0 or earlier
- Restrict network access to the iDSecure management interface to trusted IP addresses only
- Implement network segmentation to isolate physical access control systems from general network traffic
- Enable and monitor audit logging to detect any exploitation attempts
Patch Information
Organizations should consult the CISA ICS Advisory ICSA-25-175-05 for official remediation guidance from ASSA ABLOY. Contact the vendor directly for information about security patches addressing this vulnerability. Upgrade to a patched version of iDSecure On-premises as soon as one becomes available.
Workarounds
- Implement strict firewall rules limiting access to the iDSecure interface to authorized management workstations only
- Deploy a VPN or jump server requirement for all administrative access to the access control system
- Enable multi-factor authentication at the network level if the application does not support it natively
- Consider temporarily disabling remote management access if not operationally required
# Example firewall rule to restrict iDSecure access (adjust for your environment)
# Allow access only from trusted management subnet
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.10.10.0/24 -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.
