CVE-2025-49199 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting all versions of SICK AG's SICK Field Analytics product. The root cause is insufficient verification of data authenticity (CWE-345) related to the handling of backup ZIP files. Specifically, the application does not cryptographically sign these backup ZIPs, which allows an attacker with some level of access (requires privileges) to download a backup, modify its contents, and re-upload it without detection. By tampering with the backup configuration files, an attacker can disrupt the normal operation of the application by misconfiguring services so they fail to run, rendering the application unusable. Additionally, the attacker can redirect internal traffic to attacker-controlled services, enabling interception and exfiltration of sensitive data. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.8 reflects a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with network vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been published yet. This vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations relying on SICK Field Analytics for industrial or operational analytics, especially where the integrity and availability of analytics services are critical for operational decision-making and safety. The ability to redirect internal traffic also raises concerns about data leakage and potential lateral movement within networks.

For European organizations, especially those in industrial automation, manufacturing, logistics, and critical infrastructure sectors that use SICK Field Analytics, this vulnerability could lead to severe operational disruptions. The inability to run analytics services can halt monitoring and decision-support processes, potentially causing downtime and safety risks. The redirection of internal traffic to attacker-controlled endpoints could result in leakage of sensitive operational data, intellectual property, or personally identifiable information, violating data protection regulations such as GDPR. The requirement for privileges to exploit the vulnerability means insider threats or attackers who have gained limited access could leverage this flaw to escalate impact. Given the high availability and integrity impact, organizations may face significant financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties if exploited. The lack of patches increases the urgency for mitigation. The threat is particularly critical for sectors where SICK Field Analytics is integrated into safety-critical or real-time monitoring systems, as disruption could cascade into physical process failures.

Implement strict access controls and monitoring around backup and restore functionalities to ensure only authorized personnel can download or upload backup ZIP files. Establish integrity verification processes external to the application, such as hashing and signing backup files manually before upload, to detect tampering until an official patch is released. Monitor network traffic for unusual redirection patterns or connections to unknown external services that could indicate exploitation attempts. Segment the network to isolate SICK Field Analytics systems from broader corporate networks, limiting the potential for lateral movement. Conduct regular audits of configuration files and service status to detect unauthorized changes or service disruptions promptly. Prepare incident response plans specific to this vulnerability, including rollback procedures and forensic analysis capabilities. Engage with SICK AG for timely updates and patches, and subscribe to their security advisories for rapid deployment once available. Consider deploying application-layer firewalls or endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions that can detect anomalous file modifications or service behavior related to the analytics platform.