CVE-2025-5740 Overview
CVE-2025-5740 is a path traversal vulnerability [CWE-22] disclosed in a Schneider Electric product through security advisory SEVD-2025-161-03. The flaw exists in a web server component and allows an authenticated user to manipulate file paths to write arbitrary files outside the intended directory. Successful exploitation can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.
Critical Impact
An authenticated attacker can write arbitrary files to the underlying file system, enabling code execution, configuration tampering, or denial of service on the affected web server.
Affected Products
- Schneider Electric product covered by advisory SEVD-2025-161-03
- Refer to the vendor advisory for the complete list of affected models and firmware versions
- Specific CPE identifiers were not published in the NVD entry at the time of writing
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-06-10 - CVE-2025-5740 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-5740
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is classified as Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory [CWE-22]. The affected web server accepts file path input from authenticated users without enforcing proper canonicalization or restricting traversal sequences such as ../. An attacker who supplies a crafted path can escape the intended write directory and place files in arbitrary locations on the host.
The attack is network-reachable and requires high privileges, meaning the attacker must hold valid authenticated credentials on the web server. No user interaction is required. The EPSS score is 0.697% with a 72nd percentile ranking, indicating moderate exploit interest relative to other CVEs.
Writing arbitrary files can lead to remote code execution if the attacker overwrites application binaries, scripts, scheduled tasks, or configuration files consumed by privileged services. Integrity and availability are both at risk because critical system files can be replaced or corrupted.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient validation of user-supplied file path parameters. The application concatenates input into a file system path without resolving the canonical path and verifying it remains within an allowlisted base directory.
Attack Vector
An authenticated attacker sends an HTTP request to the vulnerable web endpoint with a file path parameter containing traversal sequences. The server resolves the path relative to a writable location and persists attacker-controlled content at the resulting location. The vulnerability requires only network access to the management interface and valid credentials.
No public proof-of-concept code has been verified at the time of writing. Technical details are described in the Schneider Electric Security Notice SEVD-2025-161-03.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-5740
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to the device web server containing ../, ..\, encoded variants such as %2e%2e%2f, or absolute paths in file-related parameters
- Unexpected file modifications outside the application's normal working directories
- New or modified executables, scripts, or configuration files owned by the web server process
- Authenticated sessions writing files to system paths inconsistent with normal user behavior
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for path parameters containing traversal patterns or unusual encoded characters
- Enable file integrity monitoring on application directories, web roots, and system configuration paths
- Correlate authenticated user activity with file system changes to identify abnormal write patterns
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward web server, authentication, and file integrity logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation
- Alert on writes to executable or startup paths by the web server service account
- Monitor for new accounts, privilege changes, or service restarts that follow suspicious HTTP requests
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-5740
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the firmware or software update referenced in the Schneider Electric Security Notice SEVD-2025-161-03
- Restrict access to the device web interface to trusted management networks only
- Rotate credentials for all accounts with access to the affected web server
- Audit existing file system state for unauthorized files created prior to patching
Patch Information
Schneider Electric has published remediation guidance in advisory SEVD-2025-161-03. Operators should consult the advisory for the specific fixed firmware versions applicable to their product model and follow the documented upgrade procedure.
Workarounds
- Place the affected device behind a firewall and block web management ports from untrusted networks
- Enforce least privilege on web application accounts and remove unnecessary high-privilege users
- Use a VPN or jump host for all administrative access to the device
- Enable logging on the web interface and monitor authenticated sessions for anomalous file operations
# Example network restriction using iptables to limit web management access
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.
