CVE-2025-13510 identifies a critical security vulnerability in the Iskra iHUB and iHUB Lite smart metering gateways, which are widely used in smart grid infrastructure for data collection and device management. The core issue is the absence of any authentication mechanism on the devices' web management interface, allowing any unauthenticated user with network access to connect to the interface and perform administrative actions. This vulnerability corresponds to CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Function), meaning that critical device functions can be accessed without verifying the identity or permissions of the user. Since all versions of the affected products are vulnerable, the attack surface is broad. The CVSS 4.0 score of 9.3 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with an attack vector that requires only network access, no privileges, and no user interaction. Attackers could exploit this flaw to alter metering configurations, disrupt data collection, or potentially manipulate energy consumption data, which could have cascading effects on billing, grid stability, and operational decision-making. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability's nature and ease of exploitation make it a critical concern for industrial control systems and utility providers. The lack of authentication also increases the risk of lateral movement within networks if attackers gain initial access. The vulnerability was published on December 2, 2025, with no patches currently available, emphasizing the need for immediate compensating controls.

For European organizations, particularly energy utilities and smart grid operators, this vulnerability poses a severe risk. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized modification of metering data, causing financial losses through incorrect billing or fraud. It could also disrupt grid management by altering device configurations, potentially leading to outages or degraded service quality. The integrity and availability of critical infrastructure data are at stake, which could undermine trust in smart metering deployments and regulatory compliance. Given the strategic importance of energy infrastructure in Europe, successful exploitation could have national security implications. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as a foothold for further attacks within operational technology (OT) networks, increasing the risk of broader industrial control system compromises. The absence of authentication means that even external attackers with network access, such as through compromised VPNs or exposed network segments, could exploit the flaw. This elevates the threat level for European countries with extensive smart metering rollouts using Iskra devices.

1. Immediately isolate all Iskra iHUB and iHUB Lite devices from untrusted or public networks to prevent unauthorized access to the web management interface. 2. Implement strict network segmentation to separate smart metering gateways from general IT networks and internet-facing segments. 3. Deploy firewall rules that restrict access to the management interface to only trusted IP addresses or management stations. 4. Monitor network traffic for unusual access patterns or unauthorized configuration changes on these devices. 5. Use VPNs or secure tunnels with strong authentication for any remote management access until a vendor patch is released. 6. Engage with Iskra to obtain timelines for official patches or firmware updates and apply them promptly once available. 7. Conduct regular audits of device configurations and access logs to detect potential exploitation attempts. 8. Consider deploying intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) tailored to industrial protocols used by these gateways. 9. Educate operational staff about the risks and signs of compromise related to these devices. 10. Develop and test incident response plans specifically addressing potential compromises of smart metering infrastructure.