Fireware OS: XML Injection
CVE-2025-1545 is a high-severity XML injection 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. The record lists versions 2025.1.3, 12.11.5, 12.5.14 as the first without the flaw, so updating Fireware OS to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.51% 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 OS to 2025.1.3 or 12.11.5 or 12.5.14, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Fireware to 2025.1.3 or 12.11.5 or 12.5.14, 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 up to, but not including, 2025.1.3; 12.0 up to, but not including, 12.11.5; 11.11 through 11.12.4+541730; 12.0 up to, but not including, 12.5.14 | 2025.1.3, 12.11.5, 12.5.14 |
| WatchGuard | Fireware | 2025.1 up to, but not including, 2025.1.3; 11.11 up to, but not including, 12.11.5; 11.11 up to, but not including, 12.5.14 | 2025.1.3, 12.11.5, 12.5.14 |
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
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.2 | High | CNA |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
An XPath Injection vulnerability in WatchGuard Fireware OS may allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to retrieve sensitive information from the Firebox configuration through an exposed authentication or management web interface. This vulnerability only affects Firebox systems that have at least one authentication hotspot configured.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: XML Injection
The product does not properly neutralize special elements that are used in XML, allowing attackers to modify the syntax, content, or commands of the XML before it is processed by an end system.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, 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 XML Injection vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.2 High severity
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