CVE-2025-11492 is a critical security vulnerability affecting ConnectWise Automate Agent versions prior to 2025.9. The core issue arises from the agent's ability to communicate with its server over HTTP rather than HTTPS, allowing sensitive information to be transmitted in cleartext. This configuration flaw enables a man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacker with network access to intercept, modify, or replay communications between the agent and server. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-319, which pertains to cleartext transmission of sensitive information. The Automate 2025.9 update addresses this by enforcing HTTPS for all agent communications and updating the encryption method used to obfuscate some HTTP traffic, effectively eliminating the possibility of cleartext interception. The CVSS v3.1 score of 9.6 reflects the vulnerability's critical nature, highlighting its low attack complexity, no requirement for privileges or user interaction, and the potential for complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the ease of exploitation and the criticality of the affected systems make this a significant threat. ConnectWise Automate is widely used by managed service providers (MSPs) and IT departments for remote monitoring and management, making the vulnerability particularly impactful in environments where sensitive operational data and administrative controls are transmitted.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-11492 can be severe. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive operational data, credentials, and administrative commands, potentially allowing attackers to gain control over managed endpoints. This compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical IT infrastructure. Organizations relying on ConnectWise Automate for remote management, especially MSPs servicing multiple clients, face increased risk of widespread compromise. The ability to modify or replay traffic could enable attackers to inject malicious commands or disrupt services, causing operational downtime and data breaches. Given the criticality of sectors such as finance, healthcare, energy, and government in Europe, exploitation could have cascading effects on national security and economic stability. The vulnerability also raises compliance concerns under GDPR due to potential unauthorized data exposure. The lack of authentication or user interaction requirements lowers the barrier for attackers, increasing the likelihood of targeted attacks against European entities.

European organizations should immediately upgrade ConnectWise Automate Agents to version 2025.9 or later, which enforces HTTPS communication and strengthens encryption. Until patching is complete, organizations should audit and disable any configurations allowing HTTP communication between agents and servers. Network segmentation should be implemented to restrict agent-server traffic to trusted network segments, minimizing exposure to on-path attackers. Deploy network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) with signatures or heuristics to detect anomalous agent traffic or MitM activity. Employ strict TLS inspection and certificate validation to prevent downgrade attacks. Regularly monitor logs for unusual agent communication patterns or repeated connection attempts indicative of replay attacks. MSPs should communicate the urgency of patching to their clients and verify that all managed endpoints are updated. Additionally, organizations should review and harden their network infrastructure to reduce the risk of MitM positioning, such as securing Wi-Fi networks and using VPNs for remote access. Finally, incorporate this vulnerability into incident response plans to ensure rapid detection and containment if exploitation is suspected.