CVE-2025-8629 in DMX958XR
Summary
by MITRE • 08/06/2025
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows physically present attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Kenwood DMX958XR devices. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the firmware update process. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of a user-supplied string before using it to execute a system call. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-26252.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2025
The CVE-2025-8629 vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw in the Kenwood DMX958XR device firmware update mechanism. This vulnerability operates at the system level where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into system calls without proper sanitization or validation. The flaw specifically manifests during firmware update operations when the device fails to adequately validate input parameters before executing system commands. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can leverage physical access to the device to inject malicious commands that execute with root privileges, effectively compromising the entire system. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that no authentication is required to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical access to devices might be possible.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-77 and CWE-94 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, representing command injection and code injection weaknesses respectively. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it allows for arbitrary code execution with the highest privilege level available on the device. The root context execution capability means that successful exploitation would provide complete control over the device's operating system, potentially enabling attackers to modify firmware, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors. The physical presence requirement does not significantly limit the attack vector since many industrial and commercial environments may allow unauthenticated physical access to critical infrastructure devices. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically the use of shell commands to execute malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential network infiltration. An attacker with physical access could potentially use this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to networked systems, modify device configurations, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The affected Kenwood DMX958XR device likely serves as part of larger communication or security systems where such compromise could lead to broader security breaches. Organizations utilizing these devices in mission-critical applications face significant risk since the vulnerability allows for complete system takeover without authentication requirements. The exploitation process requires only physical proximity and basic knowledge of the device's firmware update interface, making it accessible to a wide range of threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-8629 should focus on both immediate and long-term security measures. Immediate actions include implementing strict physical access controls to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing affected devices, particularly in environments where such access could lead to compromise. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Device firmware should be updated to the latest available versions from Kenwood that address this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also implement comprehensive device inventory management to track all affected systems and ensure timely patch deployment. The implementation of secure firmware update processes, including digital signature verification and integrity checks, should be enforced to prevent unauthorized modifications. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other networked devices within the organization's infrastructure.