CVE-2025-27845
📋 TL;DR
ESPEC North America Web Controller 3 versions before 3.3.4 expose JWT secrets when receiving invalid authentication requests at /api/v4/auth/. This allows attackers to forge authentication tokens and gain elevated permissions to the web interface. Organizations using affected versions of this environmental test chamber controller software are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- ESPEC North America Web Controller 3
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full administrative control over environmental test chambers, allowing manipulation of temperature, humidity, and other critical parameters that could damage sensitive equipment or compromise test results.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to web interface with ability to view sensitive test data, modify chamber settings, or disrupt ongoing testing operations.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation and access controls prevent external access to the controller interface.
🎯 Exploit Status
Simple HTTP request to /api/v4/auth/ with invalid credentials triggers the JWT secret exposure. No special tools required.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.3.4
Vendor Advisory: https://espec.com/na/about/detail/cve_2025_27845
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download version 3.3.4 from ESPEC support portal. 2. Backup current configuration. 3. Apply the firmware update through the web interface. 4. Restart the controller. 5. Verify the version shows 3.3.4.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Access Restriction
linuxRestrict network access to the controller web interface using firewall rules.
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -s trusted_ip_range -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s trusted_ip_range -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP
API Endpoint Blocking
allBlock access to the vulnerable /api/v4/auth/ endpoint using web server configuration.
location /api/v4/auth/ { deny all; return 403; }
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate the controller on a separate VLAN with strict access controls
- Implement network monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to the /api/v4/auth/ endpoint
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Send an invalid authentication request to https://controller_ip/api/v4/auth/ and check if response contains JWT secret in error messages.Check Version:
Check web interface login page or system information page for firmware version, or use: curl -k https://controller_ip/api/v4/system/infoVerify Fix Applied:
After patching, attempt the same invalid authentication request and verify no JWT secret is exposed in the response.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple failed authentication attempts to /api/v4/auth/ endpoint
- Unusual JWT token generation patterns
- Authentication from unexpected IP addresses
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to /api/v4/auth/ with invalid credentials
- Subsequent requests using newly generated JWT tokens
SIEM Query:
source="web_controller" AND (uri="/api/v4/auth/" AND status=401) | stats count by src_ip