CVE-2022-50796 in Impact
Summary
by MITRE • 12/31/2025
SOUND4 IMPACT/FIRST/PULSE/Eco <=2.x contains an unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability in the firmware upload functionality with path traversal flaw. Attackers can exploit the upload.cgi script to write malicious files to the system with www-data permissions, enabling unauthorized access and code execution.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2026
The SOUND4 IMPACT/FIRST/PULSE/Eco series of audio processing devices represents a critical security vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-50796, where multiple firmware versions up to 2.x contain a significant unauthenticated remote code execution flaw. This vulnerability specifically targets the firmware upload functionality within these industrial audio systems, creating a pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized system access and execute arbitrary code. The flaw resides in the upload.cgi script which lacks proper authentication mechanisms and input validation, allowing remote adversaries to manipulate the file upload process without any authorization requirements.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a path traversal flaw that enables attackers to manipulate the file system paths during firmware uploads. When the upload.cgi script processes incoming firmware files, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the destination paths, allowing attackers to specify arbitrary file locations within the system's directory structure. This path traversal capability, classified under CWE-22, permits the upload of malicious files to critical system directories where they can be executed with the permissions of the www-data user account. The www-data permission level indicates that the compromised system operates under a web server context, which typically provides limited but still dangerous privileges for executing malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables complete system compromise through remote code execution. Attackers can leverage this flaw to upload backdoors, malware, or other malicious payloads that persist across system reboots, potentially leading to full network infiltration. The vulnerability affects multiple models within the SOUND4 product line, suggesting a widespread exposure across industrial audio processing installations that may include critical infrastructure environments. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1547.001 for registry run keys and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can establish persistent access and execute commands through the compromised system.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate these devices from general network access, disabling unnecessary firmware upload functionality when not required, and implementing proper authentication controls. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical flaw in the principle of least privilege, where the firmware upload process operates with insufficient access controls and path validation. Organizations should consider applying firmware updates from SOUND4 if available, implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious upload activities, and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments of all industrial audio equipment within their infrastructure. The attack surface created by this vulnerability can be exploited by threat actors at scale, particularly in environments where these devices are accessible from external networks or where default credentials remain unchanged.