Dormakaba, a leading provider of physical access control systems, was found to have over 20 security vulnerabilities affecting its products used by major European firms. These vulnerabilities could allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and remotely unlock doors, thereby compromising physical security. The flaws span multiple aspects of the system, potentially including weak authentication, improper access control, and insecure communication protocols. Although no active exploitation has been reported, the vulnerabilities represent a significant risk because physical access control systems are critical for protecting sensitive areas and assets. The affected systems are deployed extensively across Europe, particularly in corporate offices, industrial sites, and critical infrastructure facilities. The vulnerabilities were responsibly disclosed and patched, but organizations must ensure timely updates to prevent exploitation. The medium severity rating reflects the balance between the potential impact of unauthorized physical access and the complexity of exploiting these flaws, which may require some level of network access or insider knowledge. This incident highlights the growing importance of securing physical security systems as part of an integrated cybersecurity posture.

For European organizations, these vulnerabilities could lead to unauthorized physical access to corporate offices, data centers, and critical infrastructure, resulting in theft, espionage, sabotage, or safety risks to personnel. Compromise of physical access controls undermines perimeter security and can facilitate further cyber intrusions by enabling attackers to access internal networks directly. The reputational damage and regulatory consequences could be significant, especially under GDPR and other data protection laws if physical breaches lead to data theft or loss. Industries such as finance, manufacturing, energy, and government are particularly at risk due to the sensitive nature of their facilities. The medium severity suggests that while exploitation is feasible, it may require some technical capability or insider assistance, limiting the scope but not eliminating the threat. Prompt patching and enhanced monitoring are critical to mitigate these risks and maintain trust in physical security infrastructure.

Organizations should immediately apply all available patches released by Dormakaba to address the identified vulnerabilities. Conduct a comprehensive security review of physical access control configurations to ensure no default or weak credentials remain. Implement network segmentation to isolate access control systems from general IT networks, reducing the attack surface. Enhance logging and real-time monitoring of access events to detect anomalous door unlocks or unauthorized access attempts. Train security personnel to recognize signs of tampering or suspicious activity around access control hardware. Consider deploying multi-factor authentication for access control system management interfaces. Regularly audit and update physical security policies to integrate cybersecurity best practices. Engage with Dormakaba support for guidance on secure deployment and configuration. Finally, incorporate physical access control security into broader incident response and risk management frameworks.