Historical catalog analysis: CISA added this entry on March 25, 2024. The entry reflects catalog information retrieved on August 31, 2026, not a snapshot archived on the inclusion date. Check current vendor guidance before acting.
What the vulnerability is
CVE-2019-7256 is an OS command injection vulnerability (CWE-78) identified in the Nice Linear eMerge E3-Series. This flaw allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. CISA added this vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog on March 25, 2024, indicating that the flaw has been observed in active exploitation.
Exposure and applicability
This vulnerability applies specifically to organizations utilizing the Nice Linear eMerge E3-Series. In an industrial context, these systems are typically deployed as part of building automation and physical security infrastructure to manage access to sensitive areas, such as plant floors, server rooms, or utility substations. Because this is a remote code execution flaw, an attacker with network access to the device could potentially gain unauthorized control over the system’s operating environment.
Remediation priorities
Based on the reported vulnerability and its inclusion in the KEV catalog, we analyze the following priority actions for OT security leaders and facility managers:
- Inventory Verification: Identify all deployed Nice Linear eMerge E3-Series controllers within the facility’s physical security network to determine the scope of exposure.
- Vendor Consultation: Contact the vendor, Nice, directly to obtain specific firmware guidance and remediation steps as outlined in their advisory.
- Network Segmentation: As a compensating control to limit potential damage, ensure that access control hardware is isolated from both the primary industrial control system (ICS) network and the general corporate IT network via firewalls or VLANs. This could reduce the likelihood of lateral movement if the device is compromised.
How to validate remediation
Validation should be conducted according to vendor-approved methods and site change control procedures. We suggest the following approach:
* Firmware Audit: Verify that the firmware version installed on each device matches the remediated version provided by the vendor.
* Access Control Review: Confirm that network access to the management interface of the eMerge E3-Series is restricted to authorized administrative workstations only, reducing the attack surface for remote injection.
Limits and open questions
It remains unknown whether this vulnerability has been utilized in ransomware campaigns. Additionally, while CISA established a remediation deadline of April 15, 2024, for federal agencies, this date does not serve as a universal mandate for private sector asset owners, though the known exploitation status suggests urgency. Users should note that firmware updates may require scheduled downtime for physical security systems; therefore, coordination with facility operations is necessary to ensure site safety is maintained during the update process.
Source and editorial note
CVE-2019-7256: Nice Linear eMerge E3-Series OS Command Injection Vulnerability · Source date: March 25, 2024 · Retrieved August 31, 2026.
Material facts are tied to the cited primary source. Recommendations are independent defensive analysis unless attributed to the source. Confirm consequential decisions against current authoritative guidance.
Archive date: March 28, 2024. The displayed post date is assigned three days after the source date to organize this retrospective archive; it does not mean this site published the analysis then. First published by this site: September 30, 2026 at 01:57 UTC.
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