CVE-2024-51175 is a vulnerability identified in the H3C S1526 network switch, specifically involving the S1526.cfg configuration component. This flaw allows a remote attacker to access sensitive information without requiring authentication or user interaction, indicating a direct network exposure. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-312, which relates to the improper protection of sensitive information, suggesting that the configuration file or related data is accessible in an insecure manner. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 reflects a high severity level, driven by the ease of exploitation (network attack vector, low attack complexity), no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. The impact is limited to confidentiality, with no reported effects on integrity or availability. Although no patches or exploits are currently documented, the exposure of sensitive configuration data could facilitate further attacks or unauthorized network reconnaissance. The vulnerability was reserved on October 28, 2024, and published on December 17, 2024, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. The lack of affected version details suggests that all or multiple firmware versions of the S1526 switch may be impacted, necessitating urgent vendor guidance and user vigilance.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-51175 is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information from the H3C S1526 switch configuration. This can lead to significant security risks including network topology exposure, credential leakage, or configuration details that attackers can leverage for lateral movement or further exploitation. Organizations relying on H3C S1526 switches in their network infrastructure may face increased risk of targeted attacks, espionage, or data breaches. Since the vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability, direct disruption or manipulation of network traffic is less likely; however, the confidentiality breach alone can undermine overall network security posture. The ease of remote exploitation without authentication makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where these switches are accessible from untrusted networks or the internet. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate widespread impact, but the potential for future exploitation remains high if mitigations are not applied.

Organizations should immediately assess their deployment of H3C S1526 switches to determine exposure to this vulnerability. Network segmentation and limiting management interface exposure to trusted networks can reduce risk. Employ access control lists (ACLs) and firewall rules to restrict access to the switch management interfaces and configuration files. Monitor network traffic for unusual access attempts to the S1526.cfg component or related management services. Since no official patches are currently available, coordinate with H3C support for guidance on firmware updates or configuration changes that mitigate information disclosure. Consider implementing encrypted management protocols and strong authentication mechanisms if supported by the device. Regularly audit switch configurations and logs to detect unauthorized access. Additionally, prepare incident response plans to address potential data leakage scenarios stemming from this vulnerability.