CVE-2022-30525: A OS command injection vulnerability in the CGI program of Zyxel USG FLEX 100(W) firmware versions 5.00 through 5.21 Patch 1, USG FLEX 200 f
Noroxi assessment
Priority: Now (action score 99/100)
- CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild (May 16, 2022). Remediation deadline for US federal agencies: Jun 6, 2022.
- A ready-made attack module is public (Metasploit, Nuclei); exploiting it takes no special expertise.
- Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days: 99.9% (FIRST EPSS); higher than 99.9% of all records.
- Anyone who can reach it over the internet can trigger it. No account or password is required. No user action is required. No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
- According to CISA the attack is automatable: targets can be found by mass scanning.
- According to the record, no fixed version is available yet.
- Mentioned 2 times in Turkish national cyber security advisories (siberguvenlik.gov.tr).
Patch today or shut off access. Until a fix is released, restrict access to the affected component and follow the vendor's advisory.
Generated automatically from the record's data: CVSS (NVD and CNA), CISA KEV and SSVC, FIRST EPSS, exploit sources, fixed versions. How we calculate it
Primary sources: NVD · CVE.org · CISA KEV · FIRST EPSS
A OS command injection vulnerability in the CGI program of Zyxel USG FLEX 100(W) firmware versions 5.00 through 5.21 Patch 1, USG FLEX 200 firmware versions 5.00 through 5.21 Patch 1, USG FLEX 500 firmware versions 5.00 through 5.21 Patch 1, USG FLEX 700 firmware versions 5.00 through 5.21 Patch 1, USG FLEX 50(W) firmware versions 5.10 through 5.21 Patch 1, USG20(W)-VPN firmware versions 5.10 through 5.21 Patch 1, ATP series firmware versions 5.10 through 5.21 Patch 1, VPN series firmware versions 4.60 through 5.21 Patch 1, which could allow an attacker to modify specific files and then execute some OS commands on a vulnerable device.
- Published
- May 12, 2022
- Updated
- Jun 17, 2026
- EPSS
- 99.9% · 99th percentile
- CWE
- CWE-78
Report tools
Action score
99
Now
Patch today or shut off access.
- CVSS
- 39 / 40 · 9.8 / 10
- CISA KEV
- 30 / 30 · Listed
- EPSS
- 30 / 30 · 99.9%
CISA SSVC decision
- Exploitation
- active
- Automatable
- yes
- Technical impact
- total
Vulnrichment: CISA's decision-tree inputs.
CNA vs NVD score
- NVD
- 9.8
- CNA · Zyxel
- 9.8
- agree
The score given by the assigning authority versus NVD’s independent score. A gap means the severity is contested.
Actively exploited in the wild
CISA added this to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on May 16, 2022. That signals real attacks, not theory.
Remediation deadline for US federal agencies: Jun 6, 2022.
Get told when this record changes
- In CISA KEV: exploitation in the wild confirmed
- Weaponized exploit exists
- No fixed version yet
If any of these changes, we'll tell you in the daily email digest.
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Noroxi analysis
What does it mean in your environment?
The assessment above is generated automatically from the record's data; it doesn't know your environment. Our team verifies on your systems whether this vulnerability is actually exploitable and which mitigation is enough.
We use this product, ask for helpAffected systems
Is your version affected?
Pick the product and type the version you run. It's compared with this record's version ranges in your browser; the version isn't sent anywhere.
| Vendor | Product | CPE |
|---|---|---|
| zyxel | usg flex 100w firmware | cpe:2.3:o:zyxel:usg_flex_100w_firmware |
| zyxel | usg flex 100w | cpe:2.3:h:zyxel:usg_flex_100w |
| zyxel | usg flex 200 firmware | cpe:2.3:o:zyxel:usg_flex_200_firmware |
| zyxel | usg flex 200 | cpe:2.3:h:zyxel:usg_flex_200 |
| zyxel | usg flex 500 firmware | cpe:2.3:o:zyxel:usg_flex_500_firmware |
| zyxel | usg flex 500 | cpe:2.3:h:zyxel:usg_flex_500 |
| zyxel | usg flex 700 firmware | cpe:2.3:o:zyxel:usg_flex_700_firmware |
| zyxel | usg flex 700 | cpe:2.3:h:zyxel:usg_flex_700 |
| zyxel | vpn100 firmware | cpe:2.3:o:zyxel:vpn100_firmware |
| zyxel | vpn100 | cpe:2.3:h:zyxel:vpn100 |
| zyxel | vpn1000 firmware | cpe:2.3:o:zyxel:vpn1000_firmware |
| zyxel | vpn1000 | cpe:2.3:h:zyxel:vpn1000 |
and 20 more
Affected versions
NVD version ranges (for catalog products). Add the product to your stack with a version and matching uses these.
- zyxel atp100 firmware5.10 and later · before 5.30
- zyxel atp100w firmware5.10 and later · before 5.30
- zyxel atp200 firmware5.10 and later · before 5.30
- zyxel atp500 firmware5.10 and later · before 5.30
- zyxel atp700 firmware5.10 and later · before 5.30
- zyxel atp800 firmware5.10 and later · before 5.30
- zyxel usg flex 100w firmware5.00 and later · before 5.30
- zyxel usg flex 200 firmware5.00 and later · before 5.30
- zyxel usg flex 500 firmware5.00 and later · up to 5.30 inclusive
- zyxel usg flex 50w firmware5.10 and later · before 5.30
- zyxel usg flex 700 firmware5.00 and later · before 5.30
- zyxel usg20w-vpn firmware5.10 and later · before 5.30
- zyxel vpn100 firmware4.60 and later · before 5.30
- zyxel vpn1000 firmware4.60 and later · before 5.30
- zyxel vpn300 firmware4.60 and later · before 5.30
- zyxel vpn50 firmware4.60 and later · before 5.30
Versions reported by the vendor
Affected version ranges reported by the assigning authority (Zyxel). Independent of NVD's CPE analysis and usually ahead of it.
Zyxel ATP series firmware
- 5.10 through 5.21 Patch 1affected
Zyxel USG 20(W)-VPN firmware
- 5.10 through 5.21 Patch 1affected
Zyxel USG FLEX 100(W) firmware
- 5.00 through 5.21 Patch 1affected
Zyxel USG FLEX 200 firmware
- 5.00 through 5.21 Patch 1affected
Zyxel USG FLEX 50(W) firmware
- 5.10 through 5.21 Patch 1affected
Zyxel USG FLEX 500 firmware
- 5.00 through 5.21 Patch 1affected
Zyxel USG FLEX 700 firmware
- 5.00 through 5.21 Patch 1affected
Zyxel VPN series firmware
- 4.60 through 5.21 Patch 1affected
Same product
zyxel: all recordsOther highest-scoring records for the same primary product.
- CVE-2022-30526A privilege escalation vulnerability was identified in the CLI command of Zyxel USG FLEX 100(W) firmware versions 4.50 through 5.30, USG FLE40Plan
- CVE-2022-2030A directory traversal vulnerability caused by specific character sequences within an improperly sanitized URL was identified in some CGI pro26Monitor
Remediation
Which version to upgrade to
Fix versions compiled from the vendor, package registries and Microsoft. Verify the vendor's note before upgrading.
No fix version is recorded for this entry. Check the references for vendor advisories.
Exploit status
Weaponized
A ready exploit tool or active in-the-wild use is known for this vulnerability. This should be your top priority.
Evidence
- Metasploit module ×1
- Exploit-DB entry ×1
- Nuclei detection template ×2
- Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub ×14
Noroxi does not host or link to exploit code. Metasploit module names and Nuclei template ids are shown (names, not code); Exploit-DB entries and PoC repositories are given as counts only.
| Source | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclei detection template | Nuclei template CVE-2022-30525 | — |
| Nuclei detection template | Nuclei template unauth-ztp-ping | — |
| Exploit-DB entry | remote | 2022-06-03 |
| Metasploit module | exploit/linux/http/zyxel_ztp_rceZyxel Firewall ZTP Unauthenticated Command Injectionexploit | 2022-04-28 |
| Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub | stars:30 | 2022-05-10 |
| Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub | stars:22 | 2022-05-13 |
| Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub | stars:33 | 2022-05-13 |
| Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub | stars:4 | 2022-05-13 |
| Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub | stars:1 | 2022-05-15 |
| Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub | stars:3 | 2022-05-16 |
| Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub | stars:1 | 2022-05-16 |
| Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub | stars:3 | 2022-05-18 |
Research context
For pentesters and researchers: attack profile, score disagreement, timeline, patch commits, credits, variant and chain candidates, bug bounty scope. All derived from existing data; no exploit code.
Timeline
From publication to today: proof of concept, Metasploit module, CISA KEV and fix record. Dates are as reported by the sources.
- Metasploit-14 d
- First PoC-2 d
- Published
- CISA KEV+4 d
- TodayNov 6, 2026+1639 d
No history yet (it accumulates with the daily EPSS job).
Patch and commit links
Commit, PR and diff links among the references. A starting point for patch-diffing and variant hunting; fixes, not exploits.
No commit or PR link among the references.
Credits
All researchersFinders, reporters and analysts named in the CNA record. Click a name for that researcher’s other records.
No credits in the CNA record.
Variant candidates
Same product, same weakness class, within 18 months. If the patch missed the root cause, the sibling bug is here.
No nightly-computed relations.
Chain candidates
An authentication bypass and a privilege-requiring bug in the same product, published close together: combined they may become an unauthenticated path.
—
Bug bounty scope
No known public program.
Source: bounty-targets-data (public HackerOne, Bugcrowd, Intigriti, YesWeHack listings).
National notice (Türkiye Cybersecurity Directorate / USOM)
Official security notices citing this record; remediation advice is on the agency's page.
- TR-22-0367 · May 18, 2022(Zyxel Güvenlik Zafiyeti)
- TR-22-0352 · May 13, 2022(Zyxel Güvenlik Zafiyeti)
Technical details
Attack conditions
- Anyone who can reach it over the internet can trigger it.
- No account or password is required.
- No user action is required.
- No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
If successful
- Confidentiality
- high · data can be read
- Integrity
- high · data or configuration can be modified
- Availability
- high · the service can be disrupted
- Attack vector
- Network
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality impact
- High
- Integrity impact
- High
- Availability impact
- High
Weakness class (CWE)
CWE-78 · Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
nvd-primary
Root cause
User input is inserted as text into a shell command. The shell may interpret special characters in the input as part of the command.
The bug in code
The whole CWE-78 classA representative example of this vulnerability class. Not the vendor's source code; it shows the faulty pattern and its fix.
Vulnerable
const host = req.body.host;
exec("ping -c 1 " + host, onResult);Fixed
const host = req.body.host;
if (!/^[a-z0-9.-]{1,253}$/i.test(host)) return res.sendStatus(400);
execFile("ping", ["-c", "1", host], onResult);Attack context
MITRE CAPEC attack patterns and ATT&CK techniques for this weakness class (CWE). A starting point for detection rules and threat hunting.
Attack patterns (CAPEC)
- Command Line Execution through SQL InjectionCAPEC-108likelihood: Low · Very High
- Command DelimitersCAPEC-15likelihood: High · High
- Exploiting Multiple Input Interpretation LayersCAPEC-43likelihood: Medium · High
- Argument InjectionCAPEC-6likelihood: High · High
- OS Command InjectionCAPEC-88likelihood: High · High
ATT&CK techniques
—
Change log
No changes recorded on tracked fields yet. Score, KEV, exploit maturity and fix status changes appear here.
References
Show all references (2 more)Show less
Vendor advisories and official records. Exploit/PoC links are deliberately left out.