CVE-2025-14816 is classified as a critical vulnerability with a CVSS score of 9.3. This vulnerability allows local attackers to exploit cleartext storage of sensitive information within the GUI of several Mitsubishi Electric products, including GENESIS64 and ICONICS Suite versions 10.97.3 and prior. The issue arises when SQL authentication is used, exposing SQL Server credentials in plain text through the Hyper Historian Splitter feature's GUI.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to SQL Server, which could lead to data disclosure, tampering, or destruction, potentially causing a denial-of-service condition. Given the critical severity of this vulnerability, organizations using affected products must prioritize patching immediately.
As of now, the vulnerability status is awaiting analysis, with no known public exploits. However, the potential impact on sensitive information highlights the urgency for affected users to evaluate their security posture and implement necessary mitigations.
Organizations should conduct a thorough assessment of their systems, especially those utilizing the affected versions. It is imperative to address this vulnerability promptly to avoid potential exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
The cleartext storage of sensitive information vulnerability in Mitsubishi Electric products is characterized by the potential for local attackers to view SQL Server credentials through the GUI. This affects numerous products, including GENESIS64, ICONICS Suite, and others, all versions 10.97.3 and prior, as well as GENESIS versions 11.02 and prior.
The official CVE description emphasizes the risk associated with the exposure of SQL credentials, which may lead to unauthorized access and data compromise. The associated CWE classification for this vulnerability is CWE-317, highlighting the seriousness of cleartext credential storage.
Given the critical CVSS score of 9.3, organizations are advised to schedule remediation as a high priority. The vulnerability's existence in widely used products amplifies the risk and necessitates swift action.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of sensitive information, specifically the SQL Server credentials displayed in plain text. The attack vector is classified as local, requiring low attack complexity. Attackers need low privileges to exploit this issue, and no user interaction is required.
The potential impacts of exploitation include high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, with attackers gaining access to sensitive data and the ability to manipulate or destroy it. This vulnerability underscores the importance of secure credential management and data protection measures.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risks associated with CVE-2025-14816 include the potential for local attackers to gain unauthorized access to SQL Server databases, leading to severe data breaches. The blast radius is significant due to the number of Mitsubishi Electric products affected, increasing the urgency for organizations to assess their environments.
Organizations should prioritize this vulnerability in their remediation efforts due to its critical severity and the high potential for exploitation. The existence of sensitive credentials in cleartext poses a substantial risk that could result in unauthorized access and data compromise.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include Mitsubishi Electric GENESIS64 versions 10.97.3 and prior, ICONICS Suite versions 10.97.3 and prior, MobileHMI versions 10.97.3 and prior, Hyper Historian versions 10.97.3 and prior, AnalytiX versions 10.97.3 and prior, GENESIS versions 11.02 and prior, and MC Works64 all versions. Organizations should evaluate their deployments and take necessary actions.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2025-14816, organizations should apply patches as soon as they become available. If patches are not yet released, consider implementing workarounds such as restricting access to the GUI or disabling SQL Server authentication until a fix is available.
Additionally, organizations should conduct a thorough review of their configuration and ensure that sensitive information is not stored in cleartext. For further guidance on secure coding practices, refer to the application security checklist provided by AppSecure.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any unusual access patterns or attempts to view the SQL Server credentials. Behavioral anomalies in user interactions with the GUI of affected products should be noted and investigated. Network signatures associated with unauthorized access attempts should also be implemented to enhance security.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2025-14816 highlights the ongoing challenges in securing sensitive information within enterprise applications. It represents a significant risk that can lead to severe data breaches if left unaddressed. Security teams must prioritize vulnerabilities related to cleartext storage and enhance their security protocols to prevent similar issues.
For organizations looking to improve their security posture, engaging in comprehensive penetration testing can provide valuable insights into potential vulnerabilities and help in fortifying defenses against exploitation.
In light of CVE-2025-14816 and similar vulnerabilities, organizations should develop a robust incident response strategy and engage in regular security assessments. For additional best practices on security assessments, refer to the penetration testing methodology blog by AppSecure.
The lessons learned from this vulnerability should inform future security practices and emphasize the importance of safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorized access.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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