CVE-2025-10151 identifies an improper locking vulnerability (CWE-667) in Softing Industrial Automation GmbH's smartLink HW-PN and HW-DP gateway devices, specifically versions 1.02 through 1.03 for HW-PN and 1.31 for HW-DP. Improper locking refers to incorrect or insufficient synchronization in concurrent programming, which can lead to race conditions, memory corruption, or resource leaks. In this case, the vulnerability allows attackers to cause infected memory or resource leaks by exploiting the improper locking mechanisms within the gateway's firmware or software components. This can result in unauthorized exposure of sensitive data or degradation of system performance and stability. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L) but requires partial authentication (PR:L) and no user interaction (UI:N). The impact on confidentiality is high (VC:H), while integrity and availability impacts are low to medium. The vulnerability affects industrial automation gateways used to bridge communication protocols in critical infrastructure and manufacturing environments, making it a significant risk for operational technology (OT) networks. No public exploits are known yet, but the potential for exploitation exists given the widespread use of these devices in industrial settings. The vulnerability was published on October 28, 2025, with a CVSS 4.0 score of 7.2, reflecting its high severity. The improper locking issue could be leveraged to leak sensitive memory contents or exhaust system resources, potentially leading to denial of service or information disclosure. Organizations relying on these gateways should prioritize patching and implement compensating controls to mitigate risk.

The vulnerability poses a significant risk to European organizations operating industrial automation and control systems that utilize Softing smartLink HW-PN and HW-DP gateways. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive operational data, impacting confidentiality. Additionally, resource leaks may degrade device performance or cause denial of service, affecting availability of critical infrastructure systems. This could disrupt manufacturing processes, supply chains, or utilities, leading to operational downtime and financial losses. Given the partial authentication requirement, insider threats or compromised credentials could facilitate exploitation. The impact is particularly critical for sectors such as energy, manufacturing, transportation, and utilities, where these gateways are commonly deployed. The exposure of memory contents could also aid attackers in further compromising OT networks or pivoting to IT systems. The lack of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk, but the high severity score and potential impact necessitate proactive mitigation. European organizations face heightened risk due to the prevalence of Softing devices in their industrial environments and the strategic importance of maintaining operational continuity.

1. Apply vendor patches immediately once released to address the improper locking vulnerability in smartLink HW-PN and HW-DP devices. 2. Until patches are available, isolate affected gateways within segmented network zones to limit exposure and reduce attack surface. 3. Implement strict access controls enforcing least privilege and multi-factor authentication for any administrative or user access to these devices. 4. Monitor network traffic and device logs for unusual patterns indicative of exploitation attempts or resource exhaustion. 5. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments of OT environments to identify and remediate similar synchronization or resource management issues. 6. Employ anomaly detection systems tailored for industrial protocols to detect abnormal behavior in gateway operations. 7. Train OT personnel on secure configuration and incident response specific to industrial gateway vulnerabilities. 8. Maintain an inventory of all affected devices and track firmware versions to ensure timely updates. 9. Collaborate with vendors and industry groups to share threat intelligence and best practices for securing industrial automation components. 10. Consider deploying compensating controls such as firewalls or intrusion prevention systems configured to restrict unauthorized access to gateway management interfaces.