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Vulnerability Intelligence

CVE-2020-9054

CriticalExploitedPublic exploit

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.

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

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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

CatalogAddedRemediation dueRansomware use
CISA KEVMar 25, 2022Apr 15, 2022Not reported
Industry KEV feedFeb 24, 2020Apr 15, 2022Not reported
CIRCL KEVMar 25, 2022Apr 15, 2022Not reported
ENISA EUVDMar 25, 2022n/aNot reported

Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Affected Products

40 affected entries in total
ProductAffected versionsFixed in
Atp100 FirmwareZyxelSee advisory4.35\(abps.3\)c0
Atp200 FirmwareZyxelSee advisory4.35\(abfw.3\)c0
Atp500 FirmwareZyxelSee advisory4.35\(abfu.3\)c0
Atp800 FirmwareZyxelSee advisory4.35\(abiq.3\)c0
Nas326 FirmwareZyxelSee advisory5.21\(aazf.7\)c0
20 more affected products in the full CVE brief

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

  1. Added to Industry KEV feed

    Feb 24, 2020

  2. Publicly disclosed

    Mar 4, 2020

  3. Added to CISA KEV

    Mar 25, 2022

  4. Added to CIRCL KEV

    Mar 25, 2022

  5. Added to ENISA EUVD

    Mar 25, 2022

  6. Last updated

    Oct 8, 2026

Weakness Type

  • CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')

References

9 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

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