Overview
CVE-2025-63221 describes a severe broken access control vulnerability affecting Axel Technology Puma devices running firmware versions 0.8.5 to 1.0.3. This flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to perform administrative actions due to missing authentication on the /cgi-bin/gstFcgi.fcgi endpoint. This can lead to full compromise of the affected devices.
Technical Details
The vulnerability exists because the /cgi-bin/gstFcgi.fcgi endpoint lacks proper authentication checks. An attacker can send crafted requests to this endpoint without providing any credentials and gain unauthorized access to sensitive functionalities. This includes:
- Listing user accounts
- Creating new administrative users
- Deleting users
- Modifying system settings
This lack of authentication allows complete takeover of the device by a malicious actor.
Example attack scenario (illustrative):
# Example request (This is illustrative and may need adjustment)
curl -X POST http://<device_ip>/cgi-bin/gstFcgi.fcgi -d "action=createUser&username=attacker&password=P@$$wOrd&role=admin"
CVSS Analysis
Currently, the CVSS score for CVE-2025-63221 is N/A. However, given the nature of the vulnerability and the potential for complete system compromise, it is expected to be rated as Critical once officially assessed. A CVSS score of 9.0 or higher is anticipated.
Possible Impact
The impact of this vulnerability is significant. Successful exploitation could lead to:
- Complete Device Compromise: An attacker can gain full control of the affected Axel Technology Puma device.
- Data Breach: Sensitive information stored on the device may be exposed.
- Service Disruption: Attackers could disrupt normal device operation, leading to downtime.
- Lateral Movement: If the Puma device is part of a larger network, attackers could use it as a pivot point to compromise other systems.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
The primary mitigation strategy is to update the firmware to a version that addresses the vulnerability. Contact Axel Technology for the latest firmware updates and security advisories.
- Check Firmware Version: Determine the firmware version of your Axel Technology Puma device.
- Apply Firmware Update: If running a vulnerable firmware version (0.8.5 to 1.0.3), immediately update to the latest available version provided by Axel Technology.
- Network Segmentation: Isolate the Puma device from critical network segments to limit the potential impact of a compromise.
- Monitor Network Traffic: Monitor network traffic for suspicious activity targeting the device.
- Disable Remote Access (If Possible): If remote access to the device is not essential, disable it to reduce the attack surface.
