Overview
A high-severity vulnerability, codenamed CVE-2025-46414, has been identified in a broad range of products that do not limit the number of attempts for inputting the correct PIN for a registered product. An attacker possessing a valid device serial number could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access using brute-force methods. The API provides clear feedback when the correct PIN is entered, further facilitating the exploit. If successfully exploited, this vulnerability could lead to system compromise or data leakage. Thus, it poses a significant threat to the security and privacy of users and enterprises that rely on the affected products.
The vulnerability was patched in a server-side update on April 6, 2025. However, systems that have not applied this patch remain at risk. This post aims to provide an in-depth analysis of this vulnerability and guidance on mitigation measures.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-46414
Severity: High (8.1 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage
Affected Products
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The details of the affected products and their versions are not provided. However, the vulnerability potentially affects any product that doesn’t limit PIN entry attempts and provides clear feedback on correct PIN entry through its API.
How the Exploit Works
The exploit leverages the lack of limits on PIN entry attempts in the affected products. An attacker possessing a valid device serial number can initiate a brute-force attack, systematically attempting all possible PIN combinations until the correct PIN is identified. The API exacerbates the situation by providing clear feedback when the correct PIN is entered, enabling the attacker to know when they have successfully cracked the PIN.
Conceptual Example Code
Below is a conceptual example of how a brute-force attack exploiting this vulnerability might be implemented using a simple HTTP request:
POST /api/device/authenticate HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.com
Content-Type: application/json
{ "device_serial": "VALID_DEVICE_SERIAL", "pin": "0000" }
// The attacker would repeat this request, incrementing the "pin" value each time, until a successful response is received.Mitigation Guidance
The primary mitigation measure for this vulnerability is to apply the vendor’s server-side patch released on April 6, 2025. This patch addresses the vulnerability by implementing a limit on the number of PIN entry attempts. Additionally, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can provide temporary mitigation by blocking or alerting on suspicious behavior that could indicate a brute-force attack.