CVE-2025-64769 identifies a vulnerability in the AVEVA Process Optimization application suite related to the use of unencrypted connection channels or protocols by default. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-319, which concerns the transmission of sensitive information in cleartext, making it susceptible to interception or manipulation via man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks or passive network inspection. The lack of encryption means that attackers with network access can potentially hijack sessions or eavesdrop on sensitive process optimization data, which could include operational parameters, control commands, or performance metrics. The vulnerability does not require user interaction or authentication, but the attacker must have access to the network where the communication occurs, which is typical in industrial control system environments or corporate networks. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.1 reflects a high severity, with a vector indicating attack complexity is high, no privileges required, no user interaction needed, and a significant impact on confidentiality and integrity, with limited impact on availability. Although no public exploits are known at this time, the vulnerability poses a serious risk to organizations relying on AVEVA Process Optimization for critical industrial processes. The technical details emphasize the need for encrypted communication channels to prevent data leakage and session hijacking. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure communication protocols in industrial software suites that manage sensitive operational data.

The impact of CVE-2025-64769 on European organizations can be substantial, especially those in sectors such as manufacturing, energy, utilities, and critical infrastructure where AVEVA Process Optimization is deployed. The interception or manipulation of process optimization data could lead to operational disruptions, incorrect process adjustments, or leakage of sensitive industrial information, potentially resulting in financial losses, safety hazards, or regulatory non-compliance. Confidentiality breaches could expose proprietary process data or trade secrets, while integrity compromises could allow attackers to alter process parameters, causing inefficiencies or even physical damage to equipment. Although availability impact is rated low, the indirect consequences of data manipulation could still disrupt operations. European organizations are often subject to strict data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR), and a breach involving unencrypted data transmission could lead to legal and reputational consequences. The high attack complexity somewhat limits exploitation to skilled attackers with network access, but insider threats or compromised network segments could facilitate attacks. Overall, the vulnerability poses a significant risk to the operational security and data confidentiality of affected organizations in Europe.

To mitigate CVE-2025-64769, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Immediately review and modify the configuration of AVEVA Process Optimization to enforce encryption on all communication channels and protocols, preferably using TLS or equivalent secure protocols. 2) If encryption options are not available or fully implemented, deploy network segmentation to isolate the Process Optimization environment from less trusted networks, reducing the attack surface. 3) Implement strict network access controls and monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns indicative of MitM or session hijacking attempts. 4) Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on communication security within industrial control systems. 5) Engage with AVEVA support or vendors to obtain patches or updates that address this vulnerability as they become available. 6) Educate operational technology (OT) and IT staff about the risks of unencrypted communications and the importance of secure configurations. 7) Consider deploying intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) tuned for industrial protocols to identify exploitation attempts. 8) Maintain comprehensive logging and incident response plans tailored to industrial environments to quickly respond to potential breaches. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on configuration changes, network architecture, and proactive detection tailored to the industrial context of the affected product.