CVE-2025-8637 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-26260.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2025
The CVE-2025-8637 vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw within the firmware update functionality of Kenwood DMX958XR radio equipment, demonstrating a fundamental failure in input validation mechanisms that enables arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability exists specifically within the firmware update process where the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into system commands. The absence of proper validation creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can be directly executed as part of system operations, effectively bypassing normal security controls. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication to exploit, making it accessible to any individual with physical access to the device, and allows for root-level execution privileges.
This flaw manifests as a classic command injection vulnerability that aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories, where unvalidated input is passed directly to system execution functions without proper sanitization or encoding. The attack vector leverages the physical presence requirement to manipulate the firmware update process, where the device's update mechanism fails to validate or escape user-supplied parameters before executing system commands. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its ability to execute code with root privileges, providing attackers with complete control over the device's operational environment. The ZDI-CAN-26260 reference indicates this vulnerability was identified through coordinated disclosure channels, highlighting the industry's recognition of the threat level.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities that could enable surveillance, data exfiltration, or disruption of critical communication services. Devices in the DMX958XR series are commonly used in professional radio applications where reliability and security are paramount, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations relying on these systems for critical communications. The physical access requirement does not eliminate the threat potential, as many organizations may not adequately control physical access to their radio equipment, especially in environments where multiple personnel have access to the devices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from Kenwood, implementing physical access controls to prevent unauthorized individuals from interacting with the device, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unusual firmware update activities. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit access to these devices and implement device authentication mechanisms where possible. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in system design and highlights the need for security-by-design principles in embedded systems. Based on ATT&CK framework considerations, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) tactics, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls beyond traditional network-based protections.