CVE-2025-8638 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-26261.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2025
The CVE-2025-8638 vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw in the Kenwood DMX958XR device firmware update mechanism, classified under CWE-77 as improper neutralization of special elements used in a command. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of physical security and software integrity, creating a significant risk for devices that require physical access for exploitation. The flaw specifically targets the firmware update process where user-supplied input is not properly validated before being executed as a system command, establishing a direct pathway for arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the device's update protocol handling. When an attacker physically accesses the device and initiates a firmware update, the system fails to properly validate or escape user-provided strings before incorporating them into system calls. This design flaw creates a command injection vector where malicious input can be interpreted and executed by the underlying operating system with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only physical presence, eliminating the need for network access or authentication credentials, which significantly increases the attack surface and risk profile.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe implications for organizations relying on Kenwood DMX958XR devices for critical communications infrastructure. The ability to execute code with root privileges means attackers can gain complete control over the device, potentially leading to data exfiltration, service disruption, or use of the compromised device as a pivot point for broader network attacks. The physical access requirement does not mitigate the risk, as it only requires an attacker to be present at the device location, which could occur through social engineering, insider threats, or unauthorized physical access to secured facilities. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in embedded systems and firmware implementations. Devices that handle firmware updates must implement robust sanitization measures to prevent command injection attacks, particularly when operating in environments where physical access cannot be completely controlled. Organizations should consider implementing additional physical security measures, such as access controls, surveillance, and regular security assessments to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity of secure coding practices and proper input validation throughout the software development lifecycle, emphasizing the need for defense-in-depth strategies that protect against both network-based and physical attacks. Mitigation efforts should include immediate firmware updates from the vendor, network segmentation, and monitoring for suspicious update activities to prevent unauthorized device compromise.