# CVE-2026-44096: Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3xxx privilege escalation in udhcpc

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-44096-phoenix-contact-charx-sec-3xxx-privilege-escalation-in-udhcpc  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-30. Updated: 2026-07-30  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-44096 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-07-30

A security vulnerability exists in Phoenix Contact CHARX electric vehicle charging controllers. A user with limited access to the device can exploit a flaw in the network configuration component to gain full administrative control. This could allow an attacker to disrupt charging operations, modify device settings, or compromise the entire system.

Technologies: [Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3000](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/charx-sec-3000), [Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3050](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/charx-sec-3050), [Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3100](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/charx-sec-3100), [Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3150](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/charx-sec-3150). Vendors: [Phoenix Contact](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/phoenix-contact).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-44096 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-44096 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-44096?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 30 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3000 < 1.9.1; Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3050 < 1.9.1; Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3100 < 1.9.1; Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3150 < 1.9.1.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-44096?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-44096 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in device firmware.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-44096?** Check whether you run Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3000, Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3050, Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3100 or one of the others listed at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

This vulnerability is classified as an OS Command Injection (CWE-78) within the udhcpc DHCP client component. A local attacker with low-privileged access (specifically the 'charx-web' user) can exploit improper neutralization of special elements to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges. This leads to a full system compromise of the charging controller. The issue affects CHARX SEC-3000, 3050, 3100, and 3150 models running firmware versions prior to 1.9.1. A patch is available in firmware version 1.9.1.

## Affected products

- Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3000 < 1.9.1
- Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3050 < 1.9.1
- Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3100 < 1.9.1
- Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3150 < 1.9.1

## Timeline

- 2026-07-30: advisory: VDE-2026-008 published by CERT VDE
- 2026-07-30: disclosed: CVE-2026-44096 published to NVD

## References

- [https://www.certvde.com/en/advisories/VDE-2026-008/](https://www.certvde.com/en/advisories/VDE-2026-008/)

## Related threats

- [Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC command injection in system configuration](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-7849-phoenix-contact-charx-sec-command-injection-in-system)
- [Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3xxx firewall bypass during shutdown](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-44108-phoenix-contact-charx-sec-3xxx-firewall-bypass-during-shutdown)
- [Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC charging controller unauthenticated reboot via Modbus TCP](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-44107-phoenix-contact-charx-sec-charging-controller-unauthenticated)
- [Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3xxx privilege escalation in init-script](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-44106-phoenix-contact-charx-sec-3xxx-privilege-escalation-in-init)
- [Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC-3xxx credential exposure in log files](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-44105-phoenix-contact-charx-sec-3xxx-credential-exposure-in-log-files)