CVE-2025-9099: Acrel Platform File Upload Vulnerability

CVE-2025-9099 Overview

CVE-2025-9099 affects the Acrel Environmental Monitoring Cloud Platform in versions up to 20250804. The vulnerability resides in the /NewsManage/UploadNewsImg endpoint, where manipulation of the File argument enables unrestricted file upload [CWE-284]. Attackers can exploit this flaw remotely over the network with low privileges. The exploit details have been publicly disclosed, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic attacks against exposed instances. The vendor was contacted before disclosure but did not respond.

Critical Impact

Authenticated remote attackers can upload arbitrary files to the platform through the /NewsManage/UploadNewsImg endpoint, potentially staging malicious content on affected systems.

Affected Products

• Acrel Environmental Monitoring Cloud Platform versions up to 20250804
• The /NewsManage/UploadNewsImg file upload handler
• Any deployment exposing the news management interface to untrusted networks

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-08-18 - CVE-2025-9099 published to NVD
• 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-9099

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists in an unspecified portion of the /NewsManage/UploadNewsImg endpoint within the Acrel Environmental Monitoring Cloud Platform. The endpoint accepts a File parameter and processes uploads without adequately restricting file type, extension, or content. This class of flaw falls under improper access control [CWE-284], allowing an authenticated attacker to submit files the application should reject.

Because the endpoint is reachable over the network and requires only low privileges, an attacker with basic access can invoke the upload handler directly. The public disclosure of exploitation details raises the operational risk for exposed installations. The EPSS score sits at 0.345% with a percentile of 27.4, reflecting limited but non-zero prediction of exploitation activity.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient validation of uploaded file attributes in the UploadNewsImg handler. The application does not enforce a strict allowlist of file types or verify that submitted content matches the expected image format. This missing control allows attackers to submit arbitrary file payloads through a handler intended only for news images.

Attack Vector

Exploitation occurs over the network against the news management upload endpoint. An attacker with low-privileged access submits a crafted HTTP request that populates the File parameter with content of their choosing. No user interaction is required. Successful uploads may enable follow-on activity depending on how the platform stores and serves uploaded content.

Refer to the VulDB entry #320421 and the VulDB CTI record for the disclosed technical writeup.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-9099

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP POST requests to /NewsManage/UploadNewsImg containing non-image File payloads or unexpected MIME types.
• Newly written files in the news images storage directory with executable, script, or archive extensions.
• Access to uploaded assets from unexpected client IP addresses shortly after upload events.

Detection Strategies

• Inspect web server and application logs for authenticated requests to /NewsManage/UploadNewsImg and correlate with the source account, IP, and payload size.
• Deploy a web application firewall rule that inspects the File parameter for disallowed content types and file signatures.
• Baseline the expected volume and origin of news image uploads; alert on deviations from that baseline.

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable file integrity monitoring on the directory where the platform stores uploaded news images.
• Forward web server access logs and application audit logs to a centralized SIEM for retention and correlation.
• Track authentication events for the accounts permitted to reach the news management module and flag anomalous session activity.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-9099

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict network access to the Acrel Environmental Monitoring Cloud Platform management interfaces to trusted administrative networks only.
• Disable or block the /NewsManage/UploadNewsImg endpoint at the reverse proxy or WAF layer if the news management feature is not required.
• Rotate credentials for any accounts with access to the news management module and review recent upload activity for suspicious files.

Patch Information

At the time of publication, the vendor has not responded to the disclosure and no official patch is referenced in the NVD entry for CVE-2025-9099. Monitor the Acrel vendor channels for a fixed release addressing versions after 20250804.

Workarounds

• Enforce server-side validation of uploaded files by MIME type and magic-byte signature at an upstream proxy where possible.
• Store uploaded files outside the web root and serve them through a controlled handler that prevents direct script execution.
• Apply least-privilege principles to accounts able to reach the news management interface and remove unused accounts.

# Example nginx configuration blocking the vulnerable endpoint
location /NewsManage/UploadNewsImg {
    deny all;
    return 403;
}