CVE-2023-33009KEV · OVERDUECWE-120

Zyxel Multiple Firewalls Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

Critical · published May 24, 2023

Patch now

Confirmed exploited, and the score agrees

CVSS calls it critical at 9.8. It is confirmed in active exploitation. It sits in the 98.1th percentile for exploit probability.

1215
days past CISA
deadline
CVSS v3.1
9.8
EPSS
28%
Percentile
98.1
In the wild
Confirmed
What it is

🚨 A sneaky buffer overflow vulnerability is lurking in Zyxel firmware, and it could let attackers crash your system or even run their own code! 🔥 Think of it like a crowded elevator that suddenly becomes overloaded and crashes — this buffer overflow causes your device to stall or make unauthorized moves, with an attacker pulling the strings from the outside! An unauthenticated attacker can unleash havoc by causing denial-of-service (DoS) conditions, leading to crashes that disrupt operations. Even scarier, they might execute remote code, allowing them to control your device and wreak further chaos. This scenario can be absolutely devastating for any organization relying on these devices!

Put simply

Think of it like a crowded elevator that suddenly becomes overloaded and crashes — this buffer overflow causes your device to stall or make unauthorized moves, with an attacker pulling the strings from the outside! This vulnerability arises in the notification function due to improper handling of buffer sizes, allowing attackers to overwrite memory and execute arbitrary code on impacted devices. Affected firmware versions include Zyxel ATP, USG FLEX, and ZyWALL/USG series, all between versions 4.60 and 5.36 Patch 1.

What to do

An unauthenticated attacker can unleash havoc by causing denial-of-service (DoS) conditions, leading to crashes that disrupt operations. Even scarier, they might execute remote code, allowing them to control your device and wreak further chaos. This scenario can be absolutely devastating for any organization relying on these devices! To secure your devices, immediately update the firmware to the latest version beyond 5.36 Patch 1. It's also crucial to restrict access to your devices, ensuring only trusted users can interact with them. Regular audits of your network security can further help in identifying common vulnerabilities. You've got this! Follow these steps to fortify your defenses and keep your systems running smooth. 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
9.8 · CRITICAL
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.28144 · 98.1th percentile
Weakness
CWE-120 · Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
Published
2023-05-24T00:00Z
KEV added
2023-06-05 · due 2023-06-26
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 05 JUN 00:00Z
    Added to CISA KEV — remediate by Jun 26
    kev
  • 24 MAY 00:00Z
    A buffer overflow vulnerability in the notification function in Zyxel ATP series firmware versions 4.60 through 5.36 Patch 1, USG FLEX series firmware versions…
    cvelistv5