CVE-2026-0794 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416, affecting the ALGO 8180 IP Audio Alerter device, specifically version 5.5. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of SIP calls where the software fails to verify the existence of an object before operating on it, leading to a use-after-free condition. This memory corruption flaw can be exploited remotely by an attacker without requiring authentication or user interaction, enabling arbitrary code execution within the device's context. The vulnerability impacts the device's confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as an attacker can potentially take full control, disrupt alerting functions, or use the device as a foothold for further network compromise. The CVSS v3.0 base score is 8.1, indicating high severity, with attack vector network (AV:N), attack complexity high (AC:H), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and full impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). While no public exploits are currently known, the vulnerability was reported by ZDI (ZDI-CAN-28303) and published on January 23, 2026. The ALGO 8180 IP Audio Alerter is commonly used in enterprise and public safety environments for IP-based audio alerting, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on these devices for critical communications. No patches or updates have been linked yet, emphasizing the need for immediate mitigation strategies.

The exploitation of CVE-2026-0794 can have severe consequences for European organizations using ALGO 8180 IP Audio Alerter devices. Successful remote code execution allows attackers to gain control over the device, potentially disrupting critical alerting and communication systems. This can lead to denial of service in emergency notification scenarios, manipulation or suppression of alerts, and unauthorized access to internal networks if the device is used as a pivot point. Confidentiality is at risk as attackers may intercept or alter audio streams or configuration data. Integrity is compromised through unauthorized code execution and potential firmware tampering. Availability is threatened by possible device crashes or persistent compromise. For sectors such as public safety, transportation, and critical infrastructure, these impacts could translate into operational disruptions and safety hazards. The lack of authentication requirement lowers the barrier for attackers, increasing the threat level. European organizations must consider these risks in their security posture, especially those with deployments of ALGO 8180 devices in sensitive or high-availability environments.

Given the absence of an official patch at this time, European organizations should implement several targeted mitigation measures: 1) Network segmentation to isolate ALGO 8180 devices from general enterprise networks and restrict access to trusted management and SIP signaling sources only. 2) Deploy strict firewall rules and SIP-aware intrusion prevention systems (IPS) to monitor and filter SIP traffic, blocking malformed or suspicious SIP packets that could trigger the vulnerability. 3) Disable unnecessary SIP services or features on the device to reduce the attack surface. 4) Implement robust network monitoring and anomaly detection focused on unusual SIP call patterns or unexpected device behavior. 5) Maintain an inventory of all ALGO 8180 devices and their firmware versions to prioritize remediation efforts. 6) Engage with ALGO vendor support channels to obtain security advisories and patches as soon as they become available. 7) Consider temporary compensating controls such as disabling remote SIP access if feasible. 8) Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to validate the effectiveness of implemented controls. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific protocol and device characteristics involved in this vulnerability.