WF-500: Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel
CVE-2025-41273 is a critical-severity authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel vulnerability in WF-500 from Waterfall, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected WF-500 versions: 7.9.1.0 R2502171040 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.41% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of WF-500 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on nozominetworks.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterfall | WF-500 | 7.9.1.0 R2502171040 and earlier | Not stated |
| Waterfall-security | Wf-500 Firmware | 7.9.1.0_r2502171040 and earlier | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 9.3 | Critical | CNA (nozominetworks.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
Nozomi Networks Labs identified a CWE-288: Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel in the Console WebUI in Waterfall WF-500 TX and RX Hosts in version 7.9.1.0 R2502171040 that allows remote unauthenticated attackers to bypass authentication of the Console web application and perform actions as an authenticated user.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel
The product requires authentication, but the product has an alternate path or channel that does not require authentication.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Funnel all access through a single choke point to simplify how users can access a resource. For every access, perform a check to determine if the user has permissions to access the resource.
More Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerabilities (CWE-288)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in WF-500
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerabilities
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
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