CVE-2025-8648 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-26271.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2025
The CVE-2025-8648 vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw in the Kenwood DMX958XR device firmware update mechanism, demonstrating a fundamental failure in input validation that enables arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability operates at the system level where user-supplied strings are directly incorporated into system calls without adequate sanitization or validation. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only physical presence to exploit, eliminating the need for network access or authentication credentials. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1543.003 for persistence mechanisms and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage, making it a prime target for attackers who can gain physical access to the device.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input handling within the firmware update process, which constitutes a classic command injection weakness. The device firmware fails to validate or sanitize strings provided during the update procedure before executing them as system commands, creating an environment where malicious input can be interpreted and executed with the highest privileges available. This flaw directly maps to CWE-77 which defines command injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is used to construct command strings that are executed by the system. The vulnerability's exploitation results in root-level code execution, meaning attackers can gain complete control over the device's operating system and access all system resources, configuration files, and potentially network interfaces.
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 can manipulate the firmware update process to inject malicious commands that execute with root privileges, effectively providing unrestricted access to the device's functionality. This vulnerability undermines the security model of the device by allowing unauthorized code execution without authentication, potentially enabling attackers to modify system configurations, install backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive data. The implications are particularly severe for security-sensitive environments where physical access controls are assumed to be sufficient, as this vulnerability demonstrates that physical presence alone can lead to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-8648 should focus on immediate firmware updates from Kenwood to address the command injection flaw, while implementing additional physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access to affected devices. Organizations should consider network segmentation and monitoring to detect suspicious firmware update activities, alongside implementing proper input validation mechanisms that align with secure coding practices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of validating all user-supplied input before system command execution and demonstrates the critical need for robust firmware security practices that prevent attackers from exploiting update mechanisms. Network administrators should also consider implementing device integrity monitoring and regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts and ensure that physical access controls remain effective against such vulnerabilities.