CVE-2026-0786 is an OS command injection vulnerability classified under CWE-78, affecting the ALGO 8180 IP Audio Alerter device, version 5.5. The vulnerability resides in the SCI (Serial Command Interface) module, where user-supplied input is improperly sanitized before being passed to system calls. This improper neutralization of special elements allows an authenticated attacker with low privileges to inject arbitrary OS commands remotely, leading to remote code execution (RCE) in the context of the device. The CVSS v3.0 score is 7.5 (high), reflecting the network attack vector, low attack complexity, required privileges, and no user interaction. Successful exploitation compromises the device’s confidentiality, integrity, and availability, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate audio alerting functions, disrupt communications, or pivot into internal networks. Although no public exploits are currently known, the vulnerability was reported by ZDI (ZDI-CAN-28295) and published in January 2026. The lack of proper input validation in a critical communication device highlights the risk of operational disruption in environments relying on these devices for alerting and paging. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and access controls in embedded communication systems.

For European organizations, especially those in sectors such as public safety, transportation, and critical infrastructure that utilize ALGO 8180 IP Audio Alerter devices, this vulnerability poses significant risks. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized control over audio alerting systems, enabling attackers to disrupt emergency communications or spread misinformation. The compromise of these devices could also serve as a foothold for lateral movement within internal networks, threatening broader organizational security. Confidentiality is at risk as attackers could intercept or manipulate alert messages. Integrity and availability are also threatened, as attackers could alter or disable alert functions, potentially causing failure in critical notification systems. The requirement for authentication reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, especially if credential management is weak or default credentials are used. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for mitigation, but the high severity score indicates that timely action is necessary to prevent potential targeted attacks.

1. Apply patches or firmware updates from ALGO as soon as they become available to address this vulnerability. 2. Restrict access to the SCI management interface by implementing network segmentation and firewall rules limiting access to trusted administrators only. 3. Enforce strong authentication mechanisms and change default credentials to prevent unauthorized access. 4. Monitor device logs and network traffic for unusual command execution patterns or access attempts. 5. Implement input validation and sanitization controls at the application level if customization or additional interfacing is performed. 6. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing on IP audio alerting systems to detect potential weaknesses. 7. Develop incident response plans specifically addressing communication system compromises to ensure rapid containment and recovery. 8. Educate administrators on the risks of command injection and best practices for device management.