CVE-2025-49194
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to intercept unencrypted network traffic and steal authentication credentials from affected servers. It affects systems using plaintext authentication methods over unencrypted channels. Organizations using SICK industrial automation products with vulnerable configurations are primarily impacted.
💻 Affected Systems
- SICK industrial automation products (specific models not detailed in provided references)
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ 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
Complete compromise of industrial control systems leading to operational disruption, data theft, or physical damage if credentials provide access to critical functions.
Likely Case
Credential theft leading to unauthorized access to industrial systems, potential data exfiltration, and lateral movement within OT networks.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation and monitoring are in place, though credentials would still be exposed during transmission.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires network access to intercept traffic but no authentication to the target system. Standard network sniffing tools can capture credentials.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Not specified in provided references
Vendor Advisory: https://sick.com/psirt
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check SICK PSIRT for specific affected products and patches. 2. Apply vendor-provided firmware updates. 3. Restart affected devices after patching. 4. Verify encryption is enabled for authentication.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Enable encrypted authentication
allConfigure systems to use encrypted authentication methods only (e.g., TLS/SSL, SSH)
Network segmentation
allIsolate affected systems in separate VLANs with strict access controls
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network-level encryption (VPN/IPsec tunnels) for all traffic to/from affected systems
- Deploy network monitoring and IDS/IPS to detect credential interception attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Use network analysis tools (Wireshark, tcpdump) to capture authentication traffic and check if credentials are transmitted in plaintext.Check Version:
Check device firmware version via SICK device management interface or consult vendor documentation.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify authentication traffic is encrypted using TLS/SSL inspection tools and confirm no plaintext credentials are transmitted.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Failed authentication attempts from unexpected IPs
- Multiple authentication attempts in short timeframes
Network Indicators:
- Unencrypted authentication protocol traffic (e.g., plaintext HTTP, FTP, Telnet)
- ARP spoofing or MITM attack patterns
SIEM Query:
source="network_traffic" protocol="http" OR protocol="ftp" OR protocol="telnet" AND (credential* OR password OR auth) NOT ssl🔗 References
- https://cdn.sick.com/media/docs/1/11/411/Special_information_CYBERSECURITY_BY_SICK_en_IM0084411.PDF
- https://sick.com/psirt
- https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/ics-recommended-practices
- https://www.first.org/cvss/calculator/3.1
- https://www.sick.com/.well-known/csaf/white/2025/sca-2025-0007.json
- https://www.sick.com/.well-known/csaf/white/2025/sca-2025-0007.pdf
