CVE-2025-40760 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-209, which pertains to the generation of error messages containing sensitive information. In Siemens Altair Grid Engine versions prior to V2026.0.0, the product improperly handles error messages during user authentication processes. Specifically, when authentication requests fail, the system discloses sensitive password hash information within error messages. This leakage occurs locally and can be exploited by an attacker who has limited privileges on the system. By extracting these password hashes, an attacker can perform offline brute-force attacks to recover the actual passwords of privileged accounts, potentially escalating their access rights. The vulnerability requires local access and privileges but does not require user interaction. The CVSS v3.1 score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting the moderate risk posed by the vulnerability due to its limited attack vector (local) and the requirement for some privileges. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality by exposing password hashes but does not affect integrity or availability. No patches have been linked yet, and no known exploits are reported in the wild. Siemens Altair Grid Engine is widely used in high-performance computing and grid management environments, making this vulnerability relevant for organizations relying on these systems for critical workloads.

For European organizations, the exposure of password hashes for privileged accounts can lead to significant security risks. If an attacker successfully brute-forces these hashes, they could gain elevated access to critical grid engine resources, potentially compromising sensitive computational tasks, data, and infrastructure. This could result in unauthorized data access, disruption of scientific or industrial computing workflows, and lateral movement within the network. The impact is particularly concerning for sectors relying on Siemens Altair Grid Engine for critical operations, such as research institutions, manufacturing, energy, and telecommunications. Confidentiality breaches could lead to intellectual property theft or exposure of sensitive operational data. Although the vulnerability requires local access, insider threats or compromised user accounts could be leveraged to exploit it. Given the medium severity, the risk is moderate but should not be underestimated, especially in environments with high-value targets and stringent compliance requirements under GDPR and other European data protection laws.

1. Restrict local access to systems running Siemens Altair Grid Engine to trusted and authorized personnel only, minimizing the risk of local exploitation. 2. Implement strict access controls and monitoring on user accounts with privileges on the grid engine to detect any suspicious activity. 3. Employ multi-factor authentication (MFA) for privileged accounts where possible to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 4. Monitor system logs for unusual authentication error messages or attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Once Siemens releases a patch or update for version V2026.0.0 or later, prioritize timely deployment of the update to remediate the vulnerability. 6. Consider using host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) to alert on abnormal local access or error message patterns. 7. Educate system administrators and users about the risks of local privilege escalation and the importance of safeguarding credentials. 8. If feasible, isolate critical grid engine systems within segmented network zones to limit lateral movement in case of compromise.