CVE-2025-57602 is a critical vulnerability identified in the AiKaan IoT management platform, which is used to manage and control connected IoT devices through a cloud controller. The vulnerability arises from two main issues: insufficient hardening of the 'proxyuser' account and the use of a shared, hardcoded SSH private key. The 'proxyuser' account is presumably a privileged or service account intended to facilitate communication or management tasks within the platform. However, its insufficient hardening means that it lacks adequate security controls such as strong authentication mechanisms, unique credentials, or proper access restrictions. Compounding this, the presence of a shared, hardcoded SSH private key embedded within the platform allows remote attackers to authenticate directly to the cloud controller without needing to compromise individual user credentials. Once authenticated, attackers gain interactive shell access to the cloud controller, which acts as a central management node for connected IoT devices. This access enables attackers to pivot laterally into other connected IoT devices managed by the platform, potentially executing arbitrary code remotely, escalating privileges, and exfiltrating sensitive information across customer environments. The vulnerability affects all versions of the AiKaan IoT platform, as no specific version information is provided. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the ease of exploitation due to hardcoded keys and weak account security makes this a significant threat. The lack of a CVSS score suggests that the vulnerability is newly published and requires immediate attention to prevent exploitation. The attack vector is remote and does not require user interaction, increasing the risk of automated or targeted attacks against exposed cloud controllers running AiKaan IoT management software.

For European organizations deploying the AiKaan IoT management platform, this vulnerability poses a severe risk to operational technology and IoT infrastructure security. Compromise of the cloud controller could lead to widespread disruption of IoT device functionality, including critical industrial control systems, smart building management, or healthcare devices. Remote code execution and privilege escalation could allow attackers to manipulate device behavior, cause denial of service, or steal sensitive operational data. Information disclosure risks threaten confidentiality of proprietary or personal data processed by connected devices. The ability to pivot within customer environments increases the potential scope of impact, potentially affecting multiple departments or subsidiaries within an organization. Given the growing adoption of IoT solutions in European industries such as manufacturing, energy, and smart cities, exploitation of this vulnerability could have cascading effects on business continuity, regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR for data protection), and safety. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged by advanced persistent threat (APT) groups targeting European critical infrastructure, amplifying geopolitical risks.

To mitigate CVE-2025-57602, European organizations should immediately audit their AiKaan IoT management platform deployments for the presence of the 'proxyuser' account and any hardcoded SSH keys. Specific steps include: 1) Replace the hardcoded SSH private key with unique, securely generated keys per deployment, stored and managed using hardware security modules (HSMs) or secure vault solutions. 2) Disable or restrict the 'proxyuser' account by enforcing strong authentication methods such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and limiting its permissions to the minimum necessary. 3) Implement network segmentation to isolate the cloud controller and IoT devices from general enterprise networks, reducing lateral movement opportunities. 4) Monitor logs and network traffic for unusual SSH login attempts or shell access to the cloud controller. 5) Engage with AiKaan platform vendors for patches or configuration guidance as soon as they become available. 6) Conduct penetration testing and vulnerability assessments focused on IoT management infrastructure to identify and remediate similar weaknesses. 7) Establish incident response plans specific to IoT compromise scenarios to quickly contain and recover from potential breaches.