CVE-2025-57577 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the H3C Device R365V300R004. The core issue stems from the use of a default password that, if not changed, allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the device. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-798, which relates to the use of hard-coded or default passwords. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requiring low attack complexity (AC:L), but does require some privileges (PR:L) and user interaction (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). The supplier states that their product lines enforce or clearly prompt users to change initial credentials upon first use, implying that exploitation is primarily due to misconfiguration or negligence by administrators who ignore these prompts. No specific affected versions are listed, and no patches or known exploits in the wild have been reported as of the publication date (September 12, 2025). The vulnerability allows remote code execution, which can lead to full compromise of the affected device, enabling attackers to manipulate device functions, intercept or alter network traffic, or use the device as a foothold for further network intrusion.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those using H3C networking devices in their infrastructure. Successful exploitation could lead to complete device compromise, resulting in potential data breaches, disruption of network services, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Given the critical role of network devices in enterprise and government environments, exploitation could disrupt business operations, compromise confidentiality of communications, and impact the integrity and availability of network services. The risk is heightened in sectors with stringent regulatory requirements for data protection, such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. Additionally, since the vulnerability requires that default credentials remain unchanged, organizations with weak credential management practices are particularly vulnerable. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests that proactive mitigation can prevent exploitation, but the high CVSS score indicates that once exploited, the consequences are severe.

European organizations should immediately audit all H3C Device R365V300R004 deployments to verify that default credentials have been changed to strong, unique passwords. Network administrators must enforce strict credential policies and implement multi-factor authentication where supported. It is critical to disable or restrict remote management interfaces if not required, or limit access to trusted IP ranges. Organizations should monitor network traffic for unusual activity indicative of exploitation attempts. Since no patches are currently available, compensating controls such as network segmentation, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and regular vulnerability scanning should be employed to reduce exposure. Additionally, organizations should ensure that device firmware is kept up to date and maintain communication with the vendor for any forthcoming patches. Training and awareness programs for administrators should emphasize the importance of changing default credentials and following secure configuration guidelines to prevent misconfiguration-based vulnerabilities.