CVE-2025-41721 is a command injection vulnerability identified in Sauter's modulo 6 devices, specifically the modu680-AS model. The flaw arises from improper neutralization of special elements in parameters passed to the openssl command when adding a password-protected self-signed certificate. This improper sanitization allows a high-privileged remote attacker to influence the command line arguments executed by the system, potentially injecting arbitrary commands. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have high privileges on the device, and no user interaction is needed to exploit it. The impact is limited to integrity, as the attacker could alter command execution, but confidentiality and availability remain unaffected. The CVSS 3.1 score is 2.7, indicating low severity due to the requirement for high privileges and limited scope of impact. No public exploits or active exploitation have been reported to date. The vulnerability affects version 0.0.0 of the product, which likely represents initial or early firmware versions. The root cause is CWE-77, which involves improper neutralization of special elements used in commands, a common source of command injection vulnerabilities. Since the openssl command is critical for cryptographic operations, manipulation could lead to unauthorized certificate creation or modification, undermining trust in device communications. The lack of patches or mitigation links suggests that users should apply vendor updates once available and implement compensating controls in the interim.

For European organizations, especially those in industrial automation, building management, and critical infrastructure sectors using Sauter modulo 6 devices, this vulnerability poses a risk to system integrity. An attacker with high privileges could inject commands that alter cryptographic operations, potentially enabling unauthorized certificate creation or modification. This could undermine secure communications or authentication mechanisms relying on these certificates. While confidentiality and availability are not directly impacted, the integrity compromise could facilitate further attacks or unauthorized access. The low CVSS score and absence of known exploits reduce immediate risk, but organizations should not dismiss the threat given the strategic importance of these devices in European industrial and commercial environments. Exploitation could disrupt trust in device identity and secure communications, impacting operational security and compliance with regulations such as GDPR and NIS Directive. The vulnerability's requirement for high privileges limits exposure but highlights the importance of strict access controls and monitoring.

1. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters passed to system commands, especially those involving openssl or other cryptographic utilities. 2. Restrict access to certificate management functions to only the most trusted and necessary administrative users, minimizing the attack surface. 3. Monitor and audit command execution logs and system activity for unusual or unauthorized command invocations related to certificate operations. 4. Apply vendor patches or firmware updates as soon as they become available to address this vulnerability directly. 5. Employ network segmentation and firewall rules to limit remote access to management interfaces of the modulo680-AS devices. 6. Use multi-factor authentication and strong credential policies to reduce the risk of privilege escalation. 7. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on command injection and input validation weaknesses in these devices. 8. Consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can detect anomalous command execution patterns. 9. Maintain an inventory of affected devices and ensure timely communication with the vendor for updates and advisories.