CVE-2025-48496
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Emerson ValveLink products allows attackers to manipulate the search path for resources, potentially leading to execution of malicious code. It affects Emerson ValveLink software installations where the search path includes directories controllable by unauthorized users. This is a path traversal vulnerability that could compromise industrial control systems.
💻 Affected Systems
- Emerson ValveLink products
⚠️ 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
Attackers could execute arbitrary code with system privileges, potentially gaining full control of the ValveLink system and affecting industrial valve operations.
Likely Case
Local attackers could escalate privileges or execute malicious code by placing files in controlled directories along the search path.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and directory permissions, the attack surface is significantly reduced, though the vulnerability remains present.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires understanding of the specific search path and ability to place files in controlled directories.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check Emerson security notifications for specific patched versions
Vendor Advisory: https://www.emerson.com/en-us/support/security-notifications
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check Emerson security notifications for specific patch details. 2. Download the patch from Emerson software downloads. 3. Apply the patch following Emerson's installation instructions. 4. Restart the system as required.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict directory permissions
windowsApply strict access controls to directories in the search path to prevent unauthorized file placement
icacls "C:\Program Files\Emerson\ValveLink\" /deny Everyone:(OI)(CI)(W,R,X)
Network segmentation
allIsolate ValveLink systems from general network access
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls on all directories in the search path
- Monitor for unauthorized file creation in ValveLink directories
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Emerson security notifications for your specific ValveLink version and configurationCheck Version:
Check ValveLink software version through Emerson management interface or software propertiesVerify Fix Applied:
Verify patch installation through Emerson software management tools and confirm directory permissions are properly set📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized file creation in ValveLink directories
- Unexpected process execution from ValveLink paths
Network Indicators:
- Unusual network connections from ValveLink systems
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND ProcessName LIKE '%ValveLink%' AND CommandLine CONTAINS 'unusual_path'