CVE-2025-41699 is a vulnerability in the Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3150 industrial device that allows a remote attacker with low privileges—specifically, a valid account for the device's web-based management interface—to perform command injection attacks with root privileges. The root cause is improper control over the generation of code (CWE-94), which enables the attacker to inject arbitrary commands that the system executes with the highest privileges. This vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond authentication, and the attack vector is network accessible, making it relatively easy to exploit once credentials are obtained. The impact is severe, as it allows total compromise of the device’s confidentiality, integrity, and availability, potentially enabling attackers to disrupt industrial processes, exfiltrate sensitive data, or use the device as a pivot point for further network intrusion. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.8 reflects the high impact and low attack complexity. Although no public exploits are reported yet, the vulnerability’s nature and affected product—commonly used in industrial automation and critical infrastructure—make it a significant threat. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure increases the urgency for organizations to implement interim mitigations. The vulnerability was reserved in April 2025 and published in October 2025 by CERTVDE, indicating a relatively recent discovery. Given the product’s deployment in European industrial environments, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk to operational technology (OT) networks.

For European organizations, especially those in industrial automation, manufacturing, energy, and critical infrastructure sectors, this vulnerability presents a high risk. Exploitation can lead to full device compromise, allowing attackers to disrupt operations, manipulate control systems, steal sensitive operational data, or cause physical damage through sabotage. The root-level command execution capability means attackers can bypass most security controls on the device. Given the interconnected nature of industrial networks, a compromised CHARX SEC-3150 device could serve as a foothold for lateral movement, increasing the risk of widespread operational disruption. This could lead to financial losses, safety incidents, regulatory penalties, and damage to reputation. The vulnerability’s presence in a device from a well-known vendor with significant market penetration in Europe exacerbates the threat. Additionally, the geopolitical climate and increasing targeting of critical infrastructure in Europe heighten the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.

1. Immediately restrict access to the web-based management interface of CHARX SEC-3150 devices by implementing network segmentation and firewall rules limiting access to trusted administrators only. 2. Enforce strong authentication mechanisms and regularly audit user accounts to ensure only authorized personnel have web management access. 3. Monitor device logs and network traffic for unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized configuration changes indicative of exploitation attempts. 4. Coordinate with Phoenix Contact for timely patch deployment once available; prioritize patching in environments with high exposure or critical operations. 5. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for device management interfaces if supported. 6. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on OT environments to identify similar vulnerabilities. 7. Develop and rehearse incident response plans specific to OT device compromises to minimize downtime and impact. 8. Consider deploying intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) tailored for industrial protocols to detect anomalous behavior. 9. Educate operational staff on the risks and signs of device compromise to improve early detection. 10. Maintain an inventory of all Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3150 devices to ensure comprehensive coverage of mitigation efforts.