CVE-2025-69985 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability affecting FUXA versions 1.2.8 and prior. The vulnerability is located in the server/api/jwt-helper.js middleware component, which is responsible for validating JSON Web Tokens (JWT) to authenticate API requests. Instead of properly verifying the JWT, the middleware improperly trusts the HTTP Referer header to confirm that requests originate internally from the server's own host. An attacker can exploit this by crafting HTTP requests with a spoofed Referer header that matches the server's hostname, thereby bypassing JWT authentication entirely. This bypass grants unauthenticated remote attackers access to the /api/runscript endpoint, which is intended to be protected. The /api/runscript endpoint allows execution of arbitrary Node.js code on the server, enabling full remote code execution (RCE). This can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, service disruption, or use of the server as a pivot point for further attacks. The vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction, making it trivially exploitable remotely. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the flaw is severe due to the direct path to RCE. The vulnerability was reserved in January 2026 and published in February 2026, with no CVSS score assigned yet. No official patches or mitigations have been linked at this time. The root cause is the insecure reliance on the Referer header, which is easily spoofed by attackers. This highlights a fundamental security design flaw in the authentication mechanism of FUXA's API middleware.

The impact of CVE-2025-69985 is severe for organizations using FUXA, particularly in environments where FUXA is deployed to manage or monitor industrial control systems or other critical infrastructure. Successful exploitation allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary Node.js code remotely, leading to full system compromise. This can result in unauthorized data access, data manipulation, destruction of system integrity, and disruption of availability. Attackers could install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive information, or use the compromised server as a launchpad for lateral movement within the network. Given the lack of authentication and user interaction requirements, the attack surface is broad, increasing the likelihood of exploitation. Organizations relying on FUXA for operational technology or industrial automation may face significant operational risks, including safety hazards if control systems are manipulated. The vulnerability undermines trust in the authentication mechanism, potentially affecting compliance with security standards and regulations. The absence of a patch at the time of disclosure increases exposure duration, emphasizing the need for immediate mitigations.

1. Immediately restrict network access to the FUXA server, limiting API endpoint exposure to trusted internal networks only. 2. Disable or restrict access to the /api/runscript endpoint until a patch is available, as it is the primary vector for code execution. 3. Implement strict validation of HTTP headers on the server side; do not rely on the Referer header for authentication or authorization decisions. 4. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) or Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) to detect and block suspicious requests with spoofed Referer headers. 5. Monitor logs for unusual access patterns or attempts to access the /api/runscript endpoint from unauthorized sources. 6. Engage with FUXA vendors or maintainers to obtain and apply security patches as soon as they are released. 7. Conduct a security review of all middleware components handling authentication to ensure no similar logic flaws exist. 8. Consider implementing multi-factor authentication and additional layers of API security such as mutual TLS or token binding. 9. Educate security teams about this vulnerability to ensure rapid detection and response to potential exploitation attempts. 10. Plan for incident response procedures in case of compromise, including system isolation and forensic analysis.