CVE-2025-41666Network attack vector

Arbitrary file access via watchdog link replacement

Published Jul 8, 2025 · Updated Jul 8, 2025

Improper link resolution in Phoenix Contact PLCnext controllers before 2025.0.2 allows remote authenticated users to access arbitrary files. After watchdog initialization, a low-privileged account with file access can replace a critical watchdog file with a link that redirects file operations. The watchdog then reads, writes, or executes the linked target, extending that account's reach to any file on the device.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.51%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Improper link resolution in Phoenix Contact PLCnext controllers before 2025.0.2 allows remote authenticated users to access arbitrary files. After watchdog initialization, a low-privileged account with file access can replace a critical watchdog file with a link that redirects file operations. The watchdog then reads, writes, or executes the linked target, extending that account's reach to any file on the device.

The record

CVE
CVE-2025-41666
Published
Jul 8, 2025
Updated
Jul 8, 2025
Vendor
Phoenix Contact
Product
BPC 9102S
Classifications
CWE-59, T1574.010
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 8, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jul 8, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <2025.0.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Phoenix Contact · BPC 9102Sversion=0 <2025.0.2
Phoenix Contact · AXC F 3152version=0 <2025.0.2
Phoenix Contact · RFC 4072Sversion=0 <2025.0.2
Phoenix Contact · AXC F 1152version=0 <2025.0.2
Phoenix Contact · AXC F 2152version=0 <2025.0.2

Published CVSS scores

8.8CERT@VDECVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
T1574.010Services File Permissions Weakness

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo