CVE-2020-9054
CriticalExploitedPublic exploitMultiple 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.
Published Mar 4, 2020 · Updated Oct 8, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2020-9054 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Atp100 Firmware (Zyxel), Atp200 Firmware (Zyxel), Atp500 Firmware (Zyxel) and 22 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Feb 24, 2020. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 100% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Atp100 Firmware 4.35\(abps.3\)c0, Atp200 Firmware 4.35\(abfw.3\)c0, Atp500 Firmware 4.35\(abfu.3\)c0.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
100%
Higher than 99.9% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2020-9054 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
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
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Mar 25, 2022 | Apr 15, 2022 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Feb 24, 2020 | Apr 15, 2022 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Mar 25, 2022 | Apr 15, 2022 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Mar 25, 2022 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
40 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Atp100 FirmwareZyxel | See advisory | 4.35\(abps.3\)c0 |
| Atp200 FirmwareZyxel | See advisory | 4.35\(abfw.3\)c0 |
| Atp500 FirmwareZyxel | See advisory | 4.35\(abfu.3\)c0 |
| Atp800 FirmwareZyxel | See advisory | 4.35\(abiq.3\)c0 |
| Nas326 FirmwareZyxel | See advisory | 5.21\(aazf.7\)c0 |
Patched Releases
Atp100 Firmware
4.35\(abps.3\)c0
Atp200 Firmware
4.35\(abfw.3\)c0
Atp500 Firmware
4.35\(abfu.3\)c0
Atp800 Firmware
4.35\(abiq.3\)c0
Nas326 Firmware
5.21\(aazf.10\)c0, 5.21\(aazf.7\)c0
Nas520 Firmware
5.21\(aasz.3\)c0
Nas540 Firmware
5.21\(aatb.4\)c0, 5.21\(aatb.7\)c0
Nas542 Firmware
5.21\(abag.4\)c0, 5.21\(abag.7\)c0
Usg110 Firmware
4.35\(aaph.3\)c0
Usg1100 Firmware
4.35\(aapk.3\)c0
Usg1900 Firmware
4.35\(aapl.3\)c0
Usg20-VPN Firmware
4.35\(abaq.3\)c0
Usg20w-VPN Firmware
4.35\(abar.3\)c0
Usg210 Firmware
4.35\(aapi.3\)c0
Usg2200 Firmware
4.35\(abae.3\)c0
Usg310 Firmware
4.35\(aapj.3\)c0
Usg40 Firmware
4.35\(aala.3\)c0
Usg40w Firmware
4.35\(aalb.3\)c0
Usg60 Firmware
4.35\(aaky.3\)c0
Usg60w Firmware
4.35\(aakz.3\)c0
Vpn100 Firmware
4.35\(abfv.3\)c0
Vpn1000 Firmware
4.35\(abip.3\)c0
Vpn300 Firmware
4.35\(abfc.3\)c0
Vpn50 Firmware
4.35\(abhl.3\)c0
zyxel zywall110 firmware
4.35\(aaaa.3\)c0
Timeline
Added to Industry KEV feed
Feb 24, 2020
Publicly disclosed
Mar 4, 2020
Added to CISA KEV
Mar 25, 2022
Added to CIRCL KEV
Mar 25, 2022
Added to ENISA EUVD
Mar 25, 2022
Last updated
Oct 8, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
References
- advisoryhttps://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/78.html
- advisoryhttps://kb.cert.org/artifacts/cve-2020-9054.html
- advisoryVU#498544
- advisoryhttps://www.zyxel.com/support/remote-code-execution-vulnerability-of-NAS-products.shtml
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
FAQ
Common Questions.
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.
Affected: Atp100 Firmware (Zyxel); Atp200 Firmware (Zyxel); Atp500 Firmware (Zyxel), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Feb 24, 2020.
Yes. It was added on Mar 25, 2022 with a federal remediation due date of Apr 15, 2022.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Atp100 Firmware 4.35\(abps.3\)c0, Atp200 Firmware 4.35\(abfw.3\)c0, Atp500 Firmware 4.35\(abfu.3\)c0.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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