NWA50AX PRO firmware: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory
CVE-2025-6265 is a high-severity improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory vulnerability in NWA50AX PRO firmware from Zyxel, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, without any action from a user. Affected NWA50AX PRO firmware versions: <= 7.10(ACGE.2). The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.62% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 50% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of NWA50AX PRO firmware you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on zyxel.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zyxel | NWA50AX PRO firmware | <= 7.10(ACGE.2) | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Nwa50ax Firmware | 7.10\(abyw.1\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Nwa55axe Firmware | 7.10\(abzl.1\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Nwa90ax Firmware | 7.10\(accv.1\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Nwa90ax Pro Firmware | 7.10\(acgf.2\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Nwa110ax Firmware | 7.10\(abtg.1\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Nwa130be Firmware | 7.10\(acil.2\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Nwa210ax Firmware | 7.10\(abtd.1\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Nwa220ax-6e Firmware | 7.10\(acco.1\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Nwa1123ac Pro Firmware | 6.28\(abhd.3\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Wac500h Firmware | 6.70\(abwa.6\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Wac5302d-sv2 Firmware | 6.25\(abvz.9\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Wac6103d-i Firmware | 6.28\(aaxh.3\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Wax300h Firmware | 7.10\(achf.1\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Wax510d Firmware | 7.10\(abtf.1\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Wax610d Firmware | 7.10\(abte.1\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Wax620d-6e Firmware | 7.10\(accn.1\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Wax630s Firmware | 7.10\(abzd.1\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Wax640s-6e Firmware | 7.10\(accm.1\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Wax650s Firmware | 7.10\(abrm.1\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Wax655e Firmware | 7.10\(acdo.1\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Wbe530 Firmware | 7.10\(acle.2\) and earlier | Not stated |
| Zyxel | Wbe660s Firmware | 7.10\(acgg.2\) and earlier | Not stated |
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
- HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
- 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
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (zyxel.com.tw).
Official description
A path traversal vulnerability in the file_upload-cgi CGI program of Zyxel NWA50AX PRO firmware version 7.10(ACGE.2) and earlier could allow an authenticated attacker with administrator privileges to access specific directories and delete files, such as the configuration file, on the affected device.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory
The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid.
- Use an application firewall that can detect attacks against this weakness. It can be beneficial in cases in which the code cannot be fixed (because it is controlled by a third party), as an emergency prevention measure while more comprehensive software assurance measures are applied, or to provide defense in depth.
More Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities (CWE-22)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in NWA50AX PRO firmware
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.2 High severity
Recent Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.