CVE-2025-47276 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the Actualizer tool developed by ChewKeanHo, specifically versions prior to 1.2.0. Actualizer is a shell script solution used by developers and embedded engineers to create Debian-based operating systems. The vulnerability arises from the use of a weak password hashing mechanism. Prior to version 1.2.0, Actualizer relies on OpenSSL's "-passwd" function, which uses the SHA512 hashing algorithm for password hashing. While SHA512 is a cryptographic hash function, it is not considered a suitable password hashing algorithm because it is designed for speed rather than resistance to brute-force or GPU-accelerated attacks. Modern password hashing standards recommend using memory-hard algorithms like Argon2i or Yescript, which provide stronger resistance against password cracking attempts. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-328 (Use of Weak Hash), indicating that the hashing method used does not provide adequate security for password storage. This weakness could allow attackers who gain access to hashed passwords to more easily crack them, potentially leading to unauthorized access. The vulnerability affects all users building full Debian OS images with Actualizer versions below 1.2.0. To remediate the issue, users must upgrade to Actualizer version 1.2.0 or later, which replaces the weak SHA512-based password hashing with Debian's Yescript, a more secure password hasher. For existing OS deployments created with vulnerable versions, manual password resets are required for both the root and alpha user accounts to override the weak hashes with stronger ones. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.5 (high), with the vector indicating network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, no confidentiality impact, high integrity impact, and no availability impact. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk primarily in environments where Actualizer is used to build Debian-based operating systems, especially in embedded systems or custom OS deployments. The use of weak password hashing increases the risk of credential compromise if attackers gain access to hashed passwords, potentially leading to unauthorized system access and integrity violations. This could result in unauthorized modifications to system configurations, installation of malicious software, or disruption of critical services. Given that Actualizer targets embedded engineers and developers, industries such as manufacturing, telecommunications, automotive, and IoT device producers in Europe could be particularly impacted if they rely on this tool for OS creation. The integrity impact is high, as attackers could alter system components or escalate privileges. Although there is no direct confidentiality or availability impact, the compromise of privileged accounts like root could lead to broader security breaches. The lack of required privileges or user interaction for exploitation means that attackers can remotely exploit this vulnerability if they obtain access to password hashes, increasing the risk profile. Organizations that deploy Debian-based OS images created with vulnerable Actualizer versions should consider their systems at risk until remediation is applied.

1. Immediate upgrade to Actualizer version 1.2.0 or later is essential to ensure the use of secure password hashing algorithms (Yescript/Argon2i) instead of SHA512. 2. For existing deployments created with vulnerable versions, perform manual password resets for both the root and alpha user accounts to replace weak hashes with stronger ones. 3. Audit all Debian OS images built with Actualizer versions prior to 1.2.0 to identify affected systems. 4. Implement monitoring and alerting for suspicious authentication attempts or unauthorized access, focusing on root and alpha accounts. 5. Restrict access to password hash files and ensure secure storage to prevent attackers from obtaining them. 6. Consider integrating multi-factor authentication (MFA) for critical accounts to reduce the risk of compromise even if password hashes are exposed. 7. Educate developers and embedded engineers on the importance of using strong password hashing algorithms and secure credential management practices. 8. Regularly review and update embedded OS build processes to incorporate security best practices and patch management.