CVE-2025-29270 is a vulnerability identified in the realtime.cgi endpoint of Deep Sea Electronics (DSE) DSE855 devices, versions 1.1.0 through 1.1.26. The vulnerability arises from incorrect access control mechanisms, which allow an attacker to bypass authentication controls and directly access the administrative panel of the device. This administrative access grants the attacker complete control over the device, including configuration changes, operational commands, and potentially disrupting device functionality. The DSE855 is commonly used in industrial and power generation environments to manage generator sets and other critical infrastructure components. The vulnerability does not require any authentication or user interaction, significantly lowering the barrier to exploitation. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the flaw's nature suggests that exploitation could lead to severe operational disruptions, unauthorized data access, or sabotage of critical infrastructure. The absence of a CVSS score means severity must be inferred from the impact and exploitability characteristics. The vulnerability was reserved in March 2025 and published in October 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. No patches or mitigations have been officially linked yet, emphasizing the need for proactive defensive measures.

For European organizations, particularly those in industrial, energy, and critical infrastructure sectors, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. The DSE855 devices are often deployed in power generation, backup power systems, and industrial automation, where unauthorized control can lead to operational downtime, equipment damage, or safety hazards. Compromise of these devices could disrupt power supply chains, affect manufacturing processes, or cause cascading failures in interconnected systems. Confidentiality is at risk as attackers gain access to sensitive operational data and configurations. Integrity is severely impacted since attackers can alter device settings or commands, potentially causing unsafe operating conditions. Availability is threatened as attackers could disable or manipulate device functions, leading to outages. The ease of exploitation without authentication or user interaction increases the likelihood of targeted attacks or opportunistic scanning by threat actors. European organizations relying on these devices must consider the potential for both direct operational impact and broader supply chain disruptions.

1. Immediate network segmentation: Isolate DSE855 devices from general corporate networks and restrict access to trusted management networks only. 2. Implement strict firewall rules and access control lists (ACLs) to limit inbound connections to the realtime.cgi endpoint to authorized IP addresses. 3. Monitor network traffic for unusual access patterns or attempts to reach the realtime.cgi endpoint. 4. Deploy intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures or heuristics targeting unauthorized access attempts to DSE devices. 5. Engage with Deep Sea Electronics for official patches or firmware updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them as soon as they become available. 6. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments focusing on industrial control systems (ICS) and embedded devices. 7. Employ multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strong credential policies on management interfaces where possible, even if the vulnerability bypasses them, to add defense in depth. 8. Develop incident response plans specific to ICS environments to quickly isolate and remediate compromised devices. 9. Educate operational technology (OT) personnel on the risks and signs of exploitation related to this vulnerability.