CVE-2025-28236: Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in Nautel VX Series Transmitters

Overview

A severe cybersecurity vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-28236, has been discovered within the firmware update process of the Nautel VX Series transmitters (VX SW v6.4.0 and below). This vulnerability is of significant concern due to its potential to allow an attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code, leading to possible system compromise or data leakage. As Nautel VX Series transmitters are widely utilized in the broadcasting industry, this vulnerability has the potential to affect a large number of systems and users, emphasizing the urgency of effective mitigation.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-28236
Severity: Critical (9.8)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Impact: Remote code execution, potential system compromise, or data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

Nautel VX Series Transmitters | VX SW v6.4.0 and below

How the Exploit Works

The exploit works by exploiting a flaw in the firmware update process of the affected products. Specifically, this is done by using a crafted update package at the /#/software/upgrades endpoint. Once this package is supplied, it enables attackers to remotely execute arbitrary code within the system.

Conceptual Example Code

Below is a conceptual example of how this vulnerability might be exploited. This example represents a malicious HTTP request sent to the software upgrade endpoint.

POST /#/software/upgrades HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.com
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded
{ "update_package": "malicious_payload" }

In this request, the “update_package” is a malicious payload crafted by the attacker to exploit the vulnerability, leading to the execution of arbitrary code on the system.

Mitigation

Users of affected versions are strongly recommended to apply the vendor-supplied patch as soon as possible. If unable to apply the patch immediately, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can serve as a temporary mitigation strategy by blocking or alerting on suspicious activity. Regularly updating and patching systems, as well as monitoring for abnormal behavior, are essential practices to maintain robust cybersecurity.