CVE-2024-48939 is a vulnerability identified in Paxton Net2, a widely used access control management system, specifically affecting versions prior to 6.07.14023.5015 (SR4). The root cause is insufficient validation of the REST API license file, which allows an attacker to bypass license verification mechanisms by supplying an invalid license file to the REST API. This bypass enables unauthorized use of the API, granting attackers the ability to retrieve sensitive access-log data without any authentication or user interaction. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-922, indicating improper restriction of operations within memory bounds, which in this context translates to inadequate validation checks on license files. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network with low attack complexity and no privileges required, making it a significant risk. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the potential for unauthorized data disclosure is high, as access logs may contain sensitive information about physical access events and user activities. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 reflects the high confidentiality impact and ease of exploitation. The lack of integrity and availability impact suggests the attack primarily compromises data confidentiality. No official patches or mitigation links were provided at the time of publication, emphasizing the need for immediate attention from affected organizations.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-48939 is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive access-log data, which can include detailed records of physical access events, user identities, timestamps, and potentially other security-relevant metadata. This exposure can lead to privacy violations, facilitate further targeted attacks, or enable adversaries to map physical security layouts and user behaviors. Since the vulnerability requires no authentication and can be exploited remotely, it significantly increases the attack surface of affected organizations. The compromise of access logs undermines the integrity of security monitoring and incident response processes, as attackers may gain insights into security operations or cover their tracks. Organizations relying on Paxton Net2 for physical security management, such as corporate offices, government facilities, healthcare institutions, and critical infrastructure, face elevated risks of espionage, insider threat facilitation, or regulatory non-compliance due to data breaches. The absence of known exploits currently limits immediate widespread impact, but the vulnerability’s characteristics make it a likely target for future exploitation.

1. Immediate upgrade to Paxton Net2 version 6.07.14023.5015 (SR4) or later once official patches are released to ensure proper license file validation. 2. Until patches are available, restrict network access to the REST API by implementing strict firewall rules and network segmentation, allowing only trusted management systems to communicate with the API. 3. Monitor REST API traffic for unusual or unauthorized requests, especially those attempting to use invalid license files or retrieve access logs. 4. Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms around the management interfaces to reduce exposure. 5. Conduct regular audits of access logs and system configurations to detect anomalies indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Engage with Paxton support or vendors for interim mitigation advice and to receive timely updates on patch availability. 7. Educate security and IT teams about this vulnerability to ensure rapid response and containment if exploitation is suspected. 8. Consider deploying intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with custom signatures to detect attempts to exploit this license validation flaw.