CVE-2024-48894 is a vulnerability identified in the Socomec DIRIS Digiware M-70 energy monitoring device, specifically version 1.6.9. The flaw resides in the WEBVIEW-M functionality, where sensitive information is transmitted in cleartext over HTTP. This allows an attacker with network access to intercept and read sensitive data by sending a specially crafted HTTP request and sniffing the network traffic. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-319, which concerns cleartext transmission of sensitive information. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.9, reflecting medium severity, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts confidentiality (C:H) but not integrity or availability. The vulnerability does not require authentication, making it accessible to remote attackers who can observe network traffic. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the risk of sensitive data disclosure is significant, especially in environments where the device monitors critical energy infrastructure. The lack of encryption in the communication channel exposes sensitive operational data, which could be leveraged for further attacks or espionage. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure communication protocols in industrial IoT and energy management devices.

For European organizations, particularly those in energy, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure sectors, this vulnerability poses a risk of sensitive data leakage. The DIRIS Digiware M-70 is used for energy monitoring and management, so intercepted data could reveal operational details, energy consumption patterns, or system configurations. Such information could be exploited for industrial espionage or to facilitate targeted attacks on critical infrastructure. Confidentiality breaches could undermine trust and lead to regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal or sensitive operational data is exposed. The vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability but could be a stepping stone for more complex attacks. Organizations with network environments lacking segmentation or encryption are at higher risk. Given the medium severity and the requirement for network access, the impact is significant but not immediately critical. However, the strategic importance of energy management systems in Europe elevates the potential consequences of exploitation.

1. Implement network segmentation to isolate DIRIS Digiware M-70 devices from general IT networks and limit exposure to untrusted networks. 2. Deploy encrypted communication channels such as VPNs or TLS tunnels to protect data in transit, compensating for the device’s lack of native encryption. 3. Monitor network traffic for unusual HTTP requests targeting the WEBVIEW-M interface and set up alerts for suspicious activity. 4. Restrict network access to the device’s management interface to trusted IP addresses only. 5. Regularly audit device firmware and configurations for updates or patches from Socomec, and engage with the vendor for security advisories. 6. Educate network administrators about the risks of cleartext protocols and encourage the use of secure alternatives where possible. 7. Consider deploying intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) capable of detecting attempts to exploit this vulnerability. 8. If possible, replace or upgrade devices to versions or models that support encrypted communications natively.