A critical vulnerability (CVE-2025-2764) in CarlinKit CPC200-CCPA devices allows network-adjacent attackers to bypass cryptographic signature checks and execute arbitrary code with root privileges. The flaw, disclosed on April 23, 2025, affects the update.cgi endpoint and carries a CVSS score of 8.0 (High). This follows another related vulnerability (CVE-2025-2763) that enables physical attackers to compromise devices via USB updates.
Technical Analysis of the Vulnerabilities
The primary vulnerability (CVE-2025-2764) stems from improper signature verification in the firmware update mechanism. Attackers can craft malicious update packages that bypass authentication checks, despite the system requiring credentials. The Zero Day Initiative (ZDI), which discovered the flaw, notes that successful exploitation grants root-level access on affected devices running firmware version 2024.01.19.1541.1
Both CVE-2025-2764 and CVE-2025-2763 share the same root cause (CWE-347) but differ in attack vectors. The former requires network adjacency, while the latter needs physical access via USB. The vulnerabilities were reported to CarlinKit on March 11, 2025, but remained unpatched as of their public disclosure on March 25.2
Impact and Affected Systems
The vulnerabilities affect all CarlinKit CPC200-CCPA devices running the vulnerable firmware version. Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-2764 could allow attackers to:
- Execute arbitrary commands with root privileges
- Pivot to other network devices
- Establish persistent access to compromised systems
According to ZDI’s advisory, the attack complexity is low (AC:L) and requires no user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerabilities are particularly concerning for industrial and automotive environments where these devices are commonly deployed.3
Mitigation and Detection
As no official patch is available, organizations should implement the following workarounds:
| Measure | Implementation |
|---|---|
| Network Segmentation | Isolate CarlinKit devices from critical network segments |
| Update Controls | Disable remote firmware updates via update.cgi |
| Physical Security | Restrict USB update capabilities for CVE-2025-2763 |
Network monitoring for unexpected HTTP requests to update.cgi and unusual process execution on CarlinKit devices can help detect exploitation attempts. The NVD entry provides additional CVSS metrics for risk assessment.4
Conclusion
The CarlinKit vulnerabilities highlight the risks of inadequate signature verification in firmware update mechanisms. Organizations using affected devices should prioritize mitigation measures and monitor vendor communications for patches. These flaws serve as a reminder to implement defense-in-depth strategies for IoT and embedded systems, particularly those in critical infrastructure environments.
References
- “ZDI-25-178: CarlinKit CPC200-CCPA update.cgi Signature Verification Bypass Vulnerability,” Zero Day Initiative, Mar. 25, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-178/
- “CVE-2025-2764 Detail,” National Vulnerability Database, Apr. 23, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-2764
- “Vulners Database Entry for CVE-2025-2764,” Vulners, Apr. 23, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://vulners.com/cvelist/CVELIST:CVE-2025-2764
- “ZDI Advisory List (March-April 2025),” Zero Day Initiative, Apr. 23, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/
