Flash Notices

Flash Notice: Dataphone A920 Improper Packet Validation

Written by Marketing | Nov 5, 2025 3:40:47 PM

overview

CVE-2025-61235 is a critical vulnerability affecting the Dataphone A920 (firmware v2025.07.161103) arising from improper validation of network packet input. Attackers can exploit this flaw by sending specially crafted packets—potentially crafted using information from public device documentation—with arbitrary or trivial values in critical fields. Instead of rejecting these malformed or unauthorized packets, the Dataphone A920 processes them without enforcing any authentication checks, immediately triggering sensitive device functionality. This exposes the device to unauthorized remote actions, with potentially severe repercussions for confidentiality, service availability, and device integrity.

The exploitation method

 Attackers remotely transmit crafted packets to affected devices; no special privileges or user interaction are required. Public documentation reduces attack complexity and makes exploitation accessible to a broad range of threat actors. 

Potential impact

  • Unauthorized remote control of the device
  • Authentication bypass, facilitating: exposure of sensitive data, service disruption and loss of availability
  • Tampering with device operations
  • High impacts on both confidentiality and availability as rated by CVSS

Currently affected products

  • Hardware: Dataphone A920 (Paytef)
  • Affected Version: Firmware v2025.07.161103

Status of mitigations

 No official patched firmware available to date. Vendor advises network-level restrictions and traffic monitoring as interim measures. 

 

summary

CVSS and related metrics

  • CVSS Score: 9.1 (Critical)
  • Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H
  • CWE: Not confirmed in public databases, but aligns with CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation).
  • KEV: Not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
  • EPSS: 0.05 (5th percentile).

This vulnerability is classified as critical because it allows unauthenticated remote actors to send crafted packets that trigger device functionality, with direct effects on both confidentiality and availability.

Compliance impact

  • PCI DSS:
    • Fails to ensure "secure systems and applications" and "protection of cardholder data"
    • May violate requirements regarding network segmentation, vulnerability management, and monitoring
  • HIPAA:
    • Possible ePHI exposure and loss of device integrity
    • Contravenes access control and audit requirements
  • SOX:
    • Threatens IT controls safeguarding data reliability and accuracy when handling financial records
  • ISO 27001:
    • Violates controls for access management, secure engineering, and vulnerability management (A.9, A.12.6, A.14)
  • NIST CSF:
    • Impacts "Protect" (PR.AC, PR.DS) and "Detect" (DE.CM) functions, highlighting inadequate validation and auditing of device activity

No authoritative indication is present that this CVE has been added to CISA KEV, nor are there confirmed, widespread exploitation reports as of the latest data.

 

indicators of compromise

Currently, there are no publicly reported Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) for CVE-2025-61235 related to the Dataphone A920. No specific forensic artifacts, such as malicious IP addresses, domains, hashes, or signatures, are linked to confirmed exploitation in the wild from open sources or security advisories.

Recommended IOC Monitoring:

  • Track the CVE via authoritative databases (NIST, MITRE, ENISA)
  • Monitor vendor advisories for device-specific indicators
  • Stay in contact with your Avertium account executive for updates

Avertium continues active surveillance for new IOCs related to this threat. Updates will be disseminated as new intelligence emerges.

 

mitre att&ck ttps

The technical characteristics of CVE-2025-61235 map to several MITRE ATT&CK techniques:

Technique ID

Name

Relevance

T1190

Exploit Public-Facing Application

Attackers exploit the exposed packet interface of the device to gain initial access remotely.

T1203

Exploitation for Client Execution

Sending crafted packets leads directly to execution of device functionality without authentication.

T1212

Exploitation for Credential Access

Bypassing validation allows authentication controls to be silently evaded, potentially enabling deeper compromise.

T1499

Endpoint Denial of Service

Flooding the device with malformed packets could exhaust resources or disrupt service.

These mappings are analytically derived according to MITRE ATT&CK’s coverage of device-facing input validation flaws and are not yet explicitly indexed for this CVE.

 

additional recommendations and information

Immediate Mitigation Actions

  • Restrict network exposure by segmenting or isolating A920 devices behind firewalls; only trusted entities should have access.
  • Disable or tightly control nonessential packet-based features.
  • Apply strict authentication and input validation for communications to terminals; block unauthenticated packets wherever possible.

Patch & Monitoring

  • Continually review vendor channels (Paytef/PAX) for firmware updates; apply updates as soon as they are released.
  • Enable and monitor device logging for all inbound requests and packet activity. Set up real-time alerts for anomalies indicating possible exploitation attempts.
  • Track exploit attempts and new mitigation advisories from vendor, NIST, and sector-specific ISACs.

Network Security Measures

  • Use firewalls, IDS/IPS, or security appliances to block known attack vectors and suspicious remote traffic targeting affected devices.
  • Deploy SIEM and advanced correlation tools to detect unusual patterns, especially unauthorized or malformed packet attempts.
  • Segment payment devices into isolated VLANs and deny internet egress except as required for operations.

Ongoing Vigilance

  • Periodically audit device configurations and firmware integrity.
  • Maintain strict access controls and disable unnecessary services or ports.

Organizations must maintain close communication with their device vendors and consider compensating controls such as enhanced monitoring, advanced network segmentation, and the disabling of remote features until patches are released and validated.

 

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