CVE-2026-44102 in CHARX SEC-3150
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
An unauthenticated remote attacker can trigger a firmware update download via the OCPP backend by supplying an invalid firmware file. This will cause the file to remain accessible for a short period before it is deleted due to improper locking during the cleanup process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in charging station firmware update mechanisms that operates through the Open Charge Point Protocol backend infrastructure. The issue stems from inadequate validation and access control measures within the firmware update processing workflow, allowing any remote attacker to initiate unauthorized firmware download requests without proper authentication or authorization. The vulnerability specifically manifests when an attacker supplies an invalid firmware file to the system, which then triggers an unintended state where the malicious file remains accessible in the system's temporary storage for a brief window before automatic deletion occurs.
The core technical flaw involves improper resource management and locking mechanisms during the cleanup process of firmware update operations. When the system processes an invalid firmware file, it fails to implement proper concurrent access controls or file locking mechanisms that would normally prevent simultaneous read/write operations on the temporary file storage. This race condition creates a window of opportunity where the attacker can access the file before the system's automatic cleanup routine removes it, effectively exploiting a time-based vulnerability that violates standard security practices for temporary file handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it provides attackers with a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks targeting charging station firmware integrity. An attacker could potentially replace legitimate firmware files with malicious versions during this brief window, or use the accessible temporary files to gather information about the target system's firmware structure and versioning. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-362 which addresses concurrent access violations and improper locking mechanisms that can lead to race conditions in security-critical operations.
From an attack perspective, this flaw aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 subtechnique for execution through web shells and T1542.001 for privilege escalation through exploitation of system vulnerabilities. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that could enable attackers to maintain access to charging infrastructure while potentially escalating privileges through subsequent exploitation of other system components.
The recommended mitigations involve implementing proper file locking mechanisms during firmware update processing, establishing strict authentication requirements for all firmware update operations, and enforcing immediate cleanup procedures with atomic file removal processes. Organizations should also implement file integrity checks and monitoring systems that can detect unauthorized access to temporary firmware files. Additionally, the system architecture should enforce mandatory access controls through the use of secure temporary storage directories with appropriate permissions and regular audits of file access patterns to prevent similar race condition vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.
Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation controls that limit access to OCPP backend services to authorized endpoints only, while establishing logging mechanisms that track all firmware update initiation attempts regardless of validity. These defensive measures align with industry best practices for securing industrial control systems and protect against similar vulnerabilities that could compromise critical infrastructure components in the energy sector.