CVE-2025-49187 is a vulnerability identified in SICK AG's product SICK Field Analytics, affecting all versions of the software. The issue is classified under CWE-204, which pertains to Observable Response Discrepancy. Specifically, the vulnerability arises from the application's handling of failed login attempts: it returns distinct error messages depending on whether the failure was due to an incorrect password or a non-existent username. This behavior enables an attacker to perform username enumeration by systematically submitting login attempts and analyzing the error responses to determine which usernames exist in the system. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.3, indicating a medium severity level. The vector metrics indicate that the attack can be performed remotely (AV:N), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The impact is limited to confidentiality (C:L) with no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits are currently observed in the wild, and no patches have been published yet. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, making it accessible to unauthenticated remote attackers. However, the impact is limited to information disclosure of valid usernames, which could be leveraged as a preliminary step in more targeted attacks such as password guessing or social engineering. Given that SICK Field Analytics is an industrial analytics platform used primarily in manufacturing and industrial automation environments, the exposure of valid usernames could facilitate further intrusion attempts against critical operational technology (OT) systems if combined with other vulnerabilities or weak credentials.

For European organizations, particularly those in manufacturing, industrial automation, and logistics sectors where SICK Field Analytics is deployed, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk. The ability to enumerate valid usernames can aid attackers in crafting targeted attacks, including brute force password attempts or spear phishing campaigns aimed at gaining unauthorized access. While the vulnerability itself does not allow direct compromise of system integrity or availability, it lowers the barrier for attackers to identify valid accounts, potentially leading to credential-based intrusions. This is especially critical in industrial environments where unauthorized access could lead to operational disruptions or safety hazards. Additionally, organizations subject to strict data protection regulations such as GDPR must consider the confidentiality impact, as exposure of user account information could be deemed a data breach. The lack of patches increases the window of exposure, and the medium CVSS score reflects the need for timely mitigation to prevent escalation. The threat is more pronounced in environments where multi-factor authentication (MFA) is not enforced or where password policies are weak, as attackers can leverage enumerated usernames to attempt password guessing attacks.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations using SICK Field Analytics should implement the following specific measures: 1) Standardize error messages for failed login attempts to avoid disclosing whether a username exists, thereby preventing username enumeration. This may require custom configuration or application-layer controls if vendor patches are unavailable. 2) Enforce strong password policies and implement account lockout mechanisms after a defined number of failed login attempts to limit brute force attacks. 3) Deploy multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all user accounts accessing the SICK Field Analytics platform to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 4) Monitor authentication logs for unusual login patterns indicative of enumeration or brute force attempts, and integrate alerts into security information and event management (SIEM) systems. 5) Network segmentation should be applied to restrict access to the SICK Field Analytics system only to authorized personnel and trusted networks, reducing exposure to external attackers. 6) Engage with SICK AG to track patch releases and apply updates promptly once available. 7) Conduct user awareness training focusing on phishing and social engineering risks that could exploit enumerated usernames. These targeted mitigations go beyond generic advice by addressing the specific nature of the vulnerability and the operational context of the affected product.