# CVE-2026-44104: Phoenix Contact CHARX SEC firmware update signature bypass

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-44104-phoenix-contact-charx-sec-firmware-update-signature-bypass  
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-2026-44104 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-07-30

Phoenix Contact CHARX charging controllers, used to manage electric vehicle charging stations, contain a flaw in how they handle software updates. The system only checks for basic data errors rather than verifying that the update is authentic and comes from the manufacturer. This allows a remote attacker to install malicious software on the controller, potentially taking full control of the charging station and disrupting operations.

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-2026-44104 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-44104 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-44104?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, 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-2026-44104?** 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-2026-44104 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-44104?** 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

The firmware update process for the basemodule of CHARX SEC-3xxx charging controllers (models 3000, 3050, 3100, and 3150) only validates the CRC32 checksum of update packages. It lacks cryptographic signature verification (CWE-347), which is necessary to ensure the authenticity and integrity of the firmware. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this by delivering a modified or malicious firmware image to the device. Successful exploitation results in full system compromise, including loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability is addressed 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-2026-44104 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)