CVE-2020-9054
ZyXEL NAS products running firmware version 5.21 and earlier are vulnerable to pre-authentication command injection in weblogin.cgi
Record summary
CVE-2020-9054 has a selected CVSS score of 9.8 (critical); EIP currently links 1 repository PoC and 1 Nuclei template. CISA lists CVE-2020-9054 in KEV.
Description
Multiple ZyXEL network-attached storage (NAS) devices running firmware version 5.21 contain a pre-authentication command injection vulnerability, which may allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable device. ZyXEL NAS devices achieve authentication by using the weblogin.cgi CGI executable. This program fails to properly sanitize the username parameter that is passed to it. If the username parameter contains certain characters, it can allow command injection with the privileges of the web server that runs on the ZyXEL device. Although the web server does not run as the root user, ZyXEL devices include a setuid utility that can be leveraged to run any command with root privileges. As such, it should be assumed that exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to remote code execution with root privileges. By sending a specially-crafted HTTP POST or GET request to a vulnerable ZyXEL device, a remote, unauthenticated attacker may be able to execute arbitrary code on the device. This may happen by directly connecting to a device if it is directly exposed to an attacker. However, there are ways to trigger such crafted requests even if an attacker does not have direct connectivity to a vulnerable devices. For example, simply visiting a website can result in the compromise of any ZyXEL device that is reachable from the client system. Affected products include: NAS326 before firmware V5.21(AAZF.7)C0 NAS520 before firmware V5.21(AASZ.3)C0 NAS540 before firmware V5.21(AATB.4)C0 NAS542 before firmware V5.21(ABAG.4)C0 ZyXEL has made firmware updates available for NAS326, NAS520, NAS540, and NAS542 devices. Affected models that are end-of-support: NSA210, NSA220, NSA220+, NSA221, NSA310, NSA310S, NSA320, NSA320S, NSA325 and NSA325v2
Exploitation context
Known exploitation
- CISA KEV
- Listed · Mar 25, 2022 · CISA
- VulnCheck KEV
- Listed · Feb 24, 2020 · VulnCheck
- Reported exploitation
- Observed · VulnCheck
Available material
CISA SSVC decision
CISA Coordinator · SSVC 2.0.3 · Evaluated Feb 7, 2025 · Source: CVE List
Affected products and versions
Showing 12 of 13| Product | Source | Version range | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
NAS326Browse ZyXEL / NAS326 | CVE List | V5.21(AAZF.7)C0 to ≤ V5.21(AAZF.7)C0 | affected |
NAS520Browse ZyXEL / NAS520 | CVE List | V5.21(AASZ.3)C0 to ≤ V5.21(AASZ.3)C0 | affected |
NAS540Browse ZyXEL / NAS540 | CVE List | V5.21(AATB.4)C0 to ≤ V5.21(AATB.4)C0 | affected |
NAS542Browse ZyXEL / NAS542 | CVE List | V5.21(ABAG.4)C0 to ≤ V5.21(ABAG.4)C0 | affected |
NSA210Browse ZyXEL / NSA210 | CVE List | All versions | affected |
NSA220+Browse ZyXEL / NSA220 | CVE List | All versions | affected |
NSA221Browse ZyXEL / NSA221 | CVE List | All versions | affected |
NSA310Browse ZyXEL / NSA310 | CVE List | V4.75(AALH.2)C0 to ≤ V4.75(AALH.2)C0 | affected |
NSA320Browse ZyXEL / NSA320 | CVE List | All versions | affected |
NSA320SBrowse ZyXEL / NSA320S | CVE List | V4.75(AANV.2)C0 to ≤ V4.75(AANV.2)C0 | affected |
NSA325Browse ZyXEL / NSA325 | CVE List | V4.81(AAAJ.1)C0 to ≤ V4.81(AAAJ.1)C0 | affected |
NSA325v2Browse ZyXEL / NSA325v2 | CVE List | V4.81(AALS.1)C0 to ≤ V4.81(AALS.1)C0 | affected |
Proofs of concept
1Repository PoCs
GitHubdarrenmartyn/CVE-2020-9054Repository PoCby darrenmartynStars: 3Not analyzed2 files
Nuclei templates
1ProjectDiscoveryCRITICALZyxel NAS Firmware 5.21- Remote Code ExecutionCVSS 9.8
Multiple Zyxel network-attached storage (NAS) devices running firmware version 5.21 contain a pre-authentication command injection vulnerability, which may allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable device. Zyxel NAS devices achieve authentication by using the weblogin.cgi CGI executable. This program fails to properly sanitize the username parameter that is passed to it. If the username parameter contains certain characters, it can allow command injection with the privileges of the web server that runs on the Zyxel device. Although the web server does not run as the root user, Zyyxel devices include a setuid utility that can be leveraged to run any command with root privileges. As such, it should be assumed that exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to remote code execution with root privileges. By sending a specially-crafted HTTP POST or GET request to a vulnerable Zyyxel device, a remote, unauthenticated attacker may be able to execute arbitrary code on the device. This may happen by directly connecting to a device if it is directly exposed to an attacker. However, there are ways to trigger such crafted requests even if an attacker does not have direct connectivity to a vulnerable devices. For example, simply visiting a website can result in the compromise of any Zyyxel device that is reachable from the client system. Affected products include: NAS326 before firmware V5.21(AAZF.7)C0 NAS520 before firmware V5.21(AASZ.3)C0 NAS540 before firmware V5.21(AATB.4)C0 NAS542 before firmware V5.21(ABAG.4)C0 Zyyxel has made firmware updates available for NAS326, NAS520, NAS540, and NAS542 devices. Affected models that are end-of-support: NSA210, NSA220, NSA220+, NSA221, NSA310, NSA310S, NSA320, NSA320S, NSA325 and NSA325v2.
Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected device.
Remediation
Apply the latest firmware update provided by Zyxel to mitigate this vulnerability.
Source: ProjectDiscovery