CVE-2025-63224 identifies a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in the Itel DAB Encoder (IDEnc build 25aec8d) firmware. The root cause is improper validation of JSON Web Tokens (JWTs) across devices running the same firmware version. Normally, JWTs are issued per device and should only authenticate that specific device or user session. However, due to flawed implementation, a JWT token obtained from one device can be reused to authenticate on any other device running the same firmware, bypassing password and network restrictions. This means an attacker who gains a valid JWT from one compromised or legitimate device can escalate privileges and gain full administrative control over all other devices sharing the firmware. The vulnerability does not require user interaction or additional authentication steps, making exploitation straightforward once a valid token is obtained. The lack of a CVSS score indicates this is a newly published vulnerability (as of November 19, 2025) with no known exploits in the wild or patches yet. The vulnerability affects all devices running the specified firmware build, though exact version details are not provided. This flaw threatens the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected devices, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate broadcast encoding settings, disrupt services, or use the devices as pivot points for further network intrusion.

For European organizations, especially broadcasters and media companies using Itel DAB Encoders, this vulnerability poses a severe risk. Unauthorized administrative access can lead to manipulation or disruption of digital audio broadcasting services, impacting service availability and integrity. Attackers could alter broadcast content, inject malicious payloads, or cause denial of service, affecting large audiences and damaging organizational reputation. Additionally, compromised devices could serve as footholds for lateral movement within corporate networks, risking broader infrastructure. The vulnerability undermines trust in broadcast infrastructure security and could have regulatory implications under EU cybersecurity and data protection laws. Organizations relying on these devices must consider the operational impact of potential outages or data breaches resulting from exploitation.

Given the absence of patches, European organizations should implement immediate compensating controls. These include strict network segmentation to isolate Itel DAB Encoders from general IT and internet-facing networks, minimizing exposure to unauthorized actors. Deploy monitoring solutions to detect anomalous JWT token reuse or unusual administrative access patterns. Enforce strong access controls and multi-factor authentication on management interfaces where possible. Rotate and revoke JWT tokens regularly to limit token reuse windows. Engage with Itel for firmware updates or vendor advisories and plan for rapid deployment of patches once available. Conduct thorough audits of all devices running the vulnerable firmware to identify and remediate compromised units. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) or API gateways that can validate JWT tokens more robustly as an interim measure. Finally, train operational staff to recognize signs of compromise and respond swiftly.