---
title: "Critical Path Traversal Flaw in Valmet DNA Tools Exposes Industrial Systems"
short_title: "Valmet DNA tools path traversal flaw exposed"
description: "A high-severity path traversal vulnerability (CVE-2025-15577) in Valmet DNA Engineering Web Tools allows unauthenticated attackers to access sensitive files. Learn how to mitigate the risk."
author: "Vitus"
date: 2024-10-02
categories: [Cybersecurity, Vulnerabilities]
tags: [valmet, path-traversal, cve-2025-15577, ics-security, critical-infrastructure]
score: 0.78
cve_ids: [CVE-2025-15577]
---
TL;DR
A critical path traversal vulnerability (CVE-2025-15577) in Valmet DNA Engineering Web Tools could allow unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files on affected systems. The flaw, rated 8.6 (High), impacts versions C2022 and earlier and poses a significant risk to industrial environments in energy and manufacturing sectors. Valmet has released a fix—users are urged to apply mitigations immediately.
---
Main Content
Introduction
Industrial control systems (ICS) are increasingly targeted by cyber threats, and a newly disclosed vulnerability in Valmet DNA Engineering Web Tools highlights the risks. Tracked as CVE-2025-15577, this path traversal flaw enables unauthenticated attackers to manipulate web service URLs, granting them arbitrary file read access on vulnerable systems. With a CVSS score of 8.6, this vulnerability demands immediate attention from organizations in critical manufacturing and energy sectors.
---
Key Points
- Vulnerability: CVE-2025-15577 is a path traversal flaw in Valmet DNA Engineering Web Tools, allowing unauthenticated attackers to access sensitive files.
- Affected Versions: All versions up to and including C2022 are vulnerable.
- Severity: Rated 8.6 (High) due to its potential for unauthorized data access and operational disruption.
- Impacted Sectors: Critical manufacturing and energy industries worldwide.
- Mitigation: Valmet has released a fix—users must contact their automation customer service group for assistance.
---
Technical Details
#### Vulnerability Overview
CVE-2025-15577 stems from an improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as a path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22). Attackers can exploit this flaw by manipulating the web maintenance services URL, bypassing access controls to read files outside the intended directory. This could expose sensitive configuration files, credentials, or operational data.
#### CVSS Metrics
The vulnerability has been assigned the following CVSS metrics:
- Base Score: 8.6 (High)
- Vector String: `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N`
- Impact: High confidentiality impact, with no integrity or availability impact.
---
Impact Assessment
#### Affected Systems
- Product: Valmet DNA Engineering Web Tools
- Versions: C2022 and earlier
- Deployment: Worldwide, with significant usage in critical manufacturing and energy sectors.
#### Potential Risks
- Unauthorized Data Access: Attackers could exfiltrate sensitive files, including system configurations, user credentials, or proprietary data.
- Operational Disruption: While the vulnerability does not directly enable code execution, accessed data could facilitate further attacks on industrial processes.
- Regulatory Compliance: Organizations in regulated sectors (e.g., energy) may face compliance violations if sensitive data is exposed.
---
Mitigation Steps
Valmet has addressed the vulnerability, and users are advised to take the following actions:
1. Contact Valmet Support:
- Reach out to Valmet’s automation customer service group to obtain the fix.
- Visit [Valmet’s contact page](https://www.valmet.com/contact/) for assistance.
2. Apply Defensive Measures:
- Minimize Network Exposure: Ensure control system devices are not accessible from the internet.
- Isolate Networks: Locate control system networks behind firewalls and separate them from business networks.
- Use Secure Remote Access: If remote access is required, use VPNs (updated to the latest version) and ensure connected devices are secure.
3. Monitor for Exploitation:
- Organizations should monitor for suspicious activity and report any incidents to CISA for tracking.
For additional details, refer to Valmet’s [security advisory](https://www.valmet.com/company/innovation/advisories/CVE-2025-15577/).
---
Recommended Practices
CISA recommends the following best practices to reduce the risk of exploitation:
- Defensive Strategies: Implement defense-in-depth strategies to protect ICS assets. Refer to CISA’s [ICS Cybersecurity Best Practices](https://www.cisa.gov/ics).
- Impact Analysis: Conduct a risk assessment before deploying defensive measures.
- Social Engineering Awareness: Train employees to recognize and avoid phishing and social engineering attacks.
- Incident Reporting: Report suspected malicious activity to CISA for tracking and correlation.
---
Conclusion
The discovery of CVE-2025-15577 underscores the critical importance of securing industrial control systems against evolving cyber threats. Organizations using Valmet DNA Engineering Web Tools must act swiftly to apply the provided fix and implement defensive measures to mitigate risks. As industrial environments become increasingly interconnected, proactive cybersecurity practices are essential to safeguarding critical infrastructure from exploitation.
---
References
[^1]: CISA. "[ICS Advisory (ICSA-26-050-02): Valmet DNA Engineering Web Tools](https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-26-050-02)". Retrieved 2024-10-02.
[^2]: Valmet. "[Security Advisory: CVE-2025-15577](https://www.valmet.com/company/innovation/advisories/CVE-2025-15577/)". Retrieved 2024-10-02.
[^3]: MITRE. "[CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/22.html)". Retrieved 2024-10-02.