Fireware OS: Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference
CVE-2025-11838 is a high-severity release of invalid pointer or reference vulnerability in Fireware OS from WatchGuard, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Fireware OS versions: 2025.1 through 2025.1.3; 12.6.1 through 12.11.5. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.52% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Fireware to 2025.1.3 or 12.11.5, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on psirt.watchguard.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| WatchGuard | Fireware OS | 2025.1 through 2025.1.3; 12.6.1 through 12.11.5 | Not stated |
| WatchGuard | Fireware | 2025.1 up to, but not including, 2025.1.3; 12.0.0 up to, but not including, 12.11.5 | 2025.1.3, 12.11.5 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.7 | High | CNA |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
A memory corruption vulnerability in WatchGuard Fireware OS may allow an unauthenticated attacker to trigger a Denial of Service (DoS) condition in the Mobile User VPN with IKEv2 and the Branch Office VPN using IKEv2 when configured with a dynamic gateway peer.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference
The product attempts to return a memory resource to the system, but it calls the wrong release function or calls the appropriate release function incorrectly.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Only call matching memory management functions. Do not mix and match routines. For example, when you allocate a buffer with malloc(), dispose of the original pointer with free().
- When programming in C++, consider using smart pointers provided by the boost library to help correctly and consistently manage memory.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, glibc in Linux provides protection against free of invalid pointers.
More Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference vulnerabilities (CWE-763)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Fireware OS
- 9.2 Critical severity
- 9.2 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 9.2 Critical severity
- 8.7 High severity
Recent Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
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