CVE-2025-48466 in Wireless Sensing and Equipment
Summary
by MITRE • 06/24/2025
Successful exploitation of the vulnerability could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to send Modbus TCP packets to manipulate Digital Outputs, potentially allowing remote control of relay channel which may lead to operational or safety risks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2025
This vulnerability resides within industrial control systems that utilize Modbus TCP protocols for communication between devices and supervisory control interfaces. The flaw represents a critical security gap that allows unauthenticated remote attackers to inject malicious Modbus TCP packets directly into operational networks without requiring valid credentials or access permissions. The vulnerability specifically targets the digital output manipulation capabilities of industrial equipment, enabling attackers to remotely control relay channels that govern critical physical processes and device operations. This represents a significant risk to operational technology environments where industrial systems control manufacturing processes, power distribution, water treatment, or other critical infrastructure components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically addressing inadequate access controls for industrial communication protocols that should normally require authentication and authorization mechanisms before allowing control operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits weaknesses in Modbus TCP packet validation and authentication mechanisms within industrial control systems. Attackers can craft and transmit specially formatted Modbus TCP requests that bypass normal access controls, allowing them to manipulate digital outputs and control relay channels. This type of attack typically involves sending write coil requests to specific addresses within the Modbus protocol that correspond to physical relay outputs. The operational impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential safety hazards, production disruptions, and physical damage to equipment. When relay channels are manipulated remotely, industrial processes may experience unintended shutdowns, incorrect operational sequences, or dangerous operational states that could result in injury or environmental damage. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic attack pattern that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.001 Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, where attackers leverage industrial protocols to perform unauthorized operations.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be accomplished through readily available network scanning and packet crafting tools. Attackers typically begin by identifying Modbus TCP endpoints within industrial networks, often using standard network discovery techniques to map operational technology environments. Once identified, attackers can send malicious packets to manipulate digital outputs and gain control over relay channels that govern critical industrial processes. The lack of authentication requirements makes this particularly dangerous for operational technology environments where security controls are often minimal or absent. Organizations using affected systems face significant risks including process interruption, safety system bypassing, and potential physical damage to industrial equipment. The vulnerability affects industrial control systems that implement Modbus TCP without proper authentication mechanisms, particularly those in manufacturing, energy, and utility sectors where relay channel control directly impacts operational safety and process integrity. Mitigation strategies should include network segmentation to isolate industrial control systems, implementation of Modbus TCP authentication mechanisms, regular security assessments of operational technology environments, and deployment of network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous Modbus TCP traffic patterns.