CVE-2026-0780 is an OS command injection vulnerability identified in the web-based user interface of the ALGO 8180 IP Audio Alerter, a device used for IP audio alerting and public address systems. The vulnerability arises due to improper neutralization of special elements in user-supplied input before it is passed to system calls, classified under CWE-78. Specifically, the web UI fails to properly validate or sanitize a string parameter that is incorporated into an operating system command, allowing an authenticated attacker to inject arbitrary commands. Successful exploitation results in remote code execution with the privileges of the device’s operating environment, potentially enabling full control over the device. The vulnerability affects version 5.5 of the product and was publicly disclosed on January 23, 2026, with a CVSS v3.0 base score of 7.2, indicating high severity. The attack vector is network-based with low attack complexity, but requires high-level privileges (authentication) and no user interaction. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the critical role these devices play in alerting and communication systems. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate risk mitigation strategies. The vulnerability was assigned by the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) under identifier ZDI-CAN-28289.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2026-0780 can be substantial, particularly for entities relying on ALGO 8180 IP Audio Alerter devices in critical communication infrastructures such as emergency services, public safety, transportation hubs, and large enterprise campuses. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized remote code execution, allowing attackers to disrupt alerting systems, manipulate audio announcements, or use the compromised device as a foothold for lateral movement within the network. This can result in loss of confidentiality (exposure of sensitive alert messages or network information), integrity (tampering with alert content), and availability (denial of alerting services). Such disruptions could impair emergency response capabilities and cause safety risks. The requirement for authentication limits exposure to insiders or attackers who have obtained valid credentials, but this does not eliminate risk given potential credential theft or weak access controls. The absence of known public exploits provides a window for mitigation, but also means organizations must proactively secure these devices to prevent future exploitation. The high CVSS score reflects the criticality of the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

1. Apply vendor-supplied patches or firmware updates as soon as they become available to address the vulnerability directly. 2. Until patches are released, restrict access to the ALGO 8180 IP Audio Alerter web interface by implementing network segmentation and firewall rules limiting access to trusted administrators only. 3. Enforce strong authentication mechanisms, including complex passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA), to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 4. Regularly audit and monitor device logs and network traffic for unusual commands or access patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Disable or limit unnecessary services and interfaces on the device to reduce the attack surface. 6. Conduct periodic security assessments and penetration testing focused on IP audio alerting infrastructure to identify and remediate weaknesses. 7. Maintain an inventory of all deployed ALGO 8180 devices and ensure they are running supported firmware versions. 8. Educate administrators on secure configuration and the risks associated with command injection vulnerabilities. 9. Implement network intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) tuned to detect suspicious command injection attempts targeting the device’s web UI. 10. Establish incident response procedures specific to compromised alerting devices to minimize operational impact.