OTPulse

Helmholz: Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm

Act NowCVSS 7.5VDE-2026-015Apr 21, 2026
Helmholz
Attack path
Attack VectorNetwork
Auth RequiredNone
ComplexityLow
User InteractionNone needed
Summary

Helmholz WALL IE Standard 4-Port devices use a broken or risky cryptographic algorithm (CWE-327) in firmware versions 1.10.210 and earlier. This weakness allows an attacker with network access to decrypt sensitive communications without authentication, potentially exposing configuration data, credentials, or operational information transmitted through the switch.

What this means
What could happen
An attacker with network access could decrypt sensitive communications on your WALL IE industrial Ethernet switch, potentially exposing process data, credentials, or control signals used to manage plant operations.
Who's at risk
Water utilities and power distribution systems using Helmholz WALL IE Standard 4-Port industrial Ethernet switches for process control network connectivity and device management. Affects facilities relying on encrypted management communications for secure remote configuration or monitoring of networked industrial devices.
How it could be exploited
An attacker on the network intercepts encrypted traffic to or from the WALL IE switch. Because the device uses a weak cryptographic algorithm (CWE-327), the attacker can decrypt the traffic without valid credentials, exposing configuration data, management communications, or operational data passing through the switch.
Prerequisites
  • Network access to the WALL IE device (ability to see or intercept network traffic)
  • WALL IE firmware version 1.10.210 or earlier
remotely exploitableno authentication requiredlow complexityhigh EPSS score (41.6%)affects network infrastructure
Exploitability
Likely to be exploited — EPSS score 41.6%
Affected products (2)
2 with fix
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
WALL IE Standard 4-Port≤ 1.10.2101.10.232
WALL IE Standard 4-Port1.12.2101.10.232
Remediation & Mitigation
0/3
Do now
0/1
HARDENINGIsolate WALL IE management interfaces from untrusted networks using a firewall or network segmentation
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/1

Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption

HOTFIXUpdate WALL IE firmware to version 1.10.232 or later
Long-term hardening
0/1
HARDENINGImplement network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to the WALL IE switch
View full CERT@VDE advisory
API: /api/v1/advisories/fa60d8e5-005c-49da-a237-39c7068069ff

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Helmholz: Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm | CVSS 7.5 - OTPulse