CVE-2025-25265 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the WAGO CC100 0751-9x01 controller, a device commonly used in industrial automation and control systems. The vulnerability arises from a missing authentication mechanism on a critical web application endpoint used for configuring the controller. Specifically, the web interface exposes an unauthenticated endpoint that allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files from the system's file structure. This lack of access control (classified under CWE-306: Missing Authentication for Critical Function) means that any attacker with network access to the device's web interface can retrieve sensitive files without needing credentials or user interaction. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5, reflecting its ease of exploitation (network accessible, no privileges or user interaction required) and the high impact on confidentiality, as attackers can access potentially sensitive configuration files or other data stored on the device. However, the vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability directly. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been published at the time of analysis. Given the nature of industrial controllers, unauthorized file disclosure can lead to exposure of operational parameters, credentials, or proprietary information, which could be leveraged for further attacks or industrial espionage. The vulnerability affects version 0.0.0 of the product, which likely indicates all currently deployed versions prior to patching are vulnerable. The web application is accessible at a specific path, which may be discoverable via network scanning or fingerprinting tools, increasing the risk of targeted attacks. Overall, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to the confidentiality of data on affected WAGO controllers due to missing authentication controls on critical configuration functions accessible remotely over the network.

For European organizations, particularly those in manufacturing, energy, building automation, and critical infrastructure sectors that deploy WAGO CC100 0751-9x01 controllers, this vulnerability poses a serious confidentiality risk. Attackers could remotely access sensitive configuration files, potentially exposing network credentials, system architecture details, or proprietary operational data. This exposure could facilitate further attacks such as lateral movement within industrial networks, sabotage, or intellectual property theft. While the vulnerability does not directly impact system integrity or availability, the information gained could be used to craft more damaging attacks. Given the critical role of industrial controllers in European manufacturing and infrastructure, exploitation could disrupt operations indirectly or cause compliance issues with data protection regulations such as GDPR if sensitive personal or operational data is exposed. The lack of authentication also means that attackers do not need insider access or user interaction, increasing the likelihood of exploitation if devices are exposed to untrusted networks. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for mitigation, but the public disclosure increases the risk of future exploitation attempts.

1. Network Segmentation: Immediately isolate WAGO CC100 0751-9x01 controllers from untrusted networks, ensuring that the web interface is accessible only from secure, internal management networks. 2. Access Control: Implement strict firewall rules to restrict access to the controller's web interface to authorized IP addresses only. 3. Monitoring and Logging: Enable detailed logging on network devices and controllers to detect any unauthorized access attempts to the web interface. 4. Vendor Coordination: Engage with WAGO support channels to obtain information on patches or firmware updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 5. Temporary Workarounds: If patching is not immediately possible, consider disabling the web configuration interface or restricting its availability via network controls. 6. Asset Inventory: Identify all deployed WAGO CC100 0751-9x01 devices within the organization to assess exposure and prioritize remediation. 7. Incident Response Preparation: Develop and test incident response plans specific to industrial control system breaches, focusing on confidentiality breaches and lateral movement detection. 8. Security Awareness: Train operational technology (OT) and IT staff on the risks associated with unauthenticated access to industrial controllers and the importance of network segmentation and access controls. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on network-level controls, vendor engagement, and operational readiness tailored to industrial environments.