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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v4 7.3
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely
• Vendor: Danfoss
• Equipment: AK-SM 8xxA Series
• Vulnerability: Improper Authentication

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could enable a remote attacker to bypass authentication and execute arbitrary code remotely.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of AK-SM 800A system manager are affected:

• AK-SM 8xxA Series: Versions prior to R4.2

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1 IMPROPER AUTHENTICATION CWE-287

An unauthorized access vulnerability, caused by datetime-based password generation, could potentially result in an authentication bypass.

CVE-2025-41450 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.2 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2025-41450. A base score of 7.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:L/VA:H/SC:H/SI:L/SA:H).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Commercial Facilities
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Denmark

3.4 RESEARCHER

Tomer Goldschmidt of Claroty Team82 reported this vulnerability to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

Danfoss has created release R4.2 to address this vulnerability. Users can obtain and install the latest version by following the AK-SM 800A Software Upgrade Process.

For more information, please see the Danfoss security advisory.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability, such as:

• Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the Internet.
• Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
• When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as virtual private networks (VPNs), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize VPN is only as secure as the connected devices.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov/ics. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:

• Do not click web links or open attachments in unsolicited email messages.
• Refer to Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams for more information on avoiding email scams.
• Refer to Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information on social engineering attacks.

No known public exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time. This vulnerability has a high attack complexity.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

• May 20, 2025: Initial Publication