Overview
CVE-2025-12195 is a newly discovered security vulnerability affecting WatchGuard Fireware OS. This out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the Command Line Interface (CLI) could allow an authenticated, privileged user to potentially execute arbitrary code on the system. This poses a significant risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected WatchGuard firewalls.
Technical Details
The vulnerability resides within the CLI’s handling of IPSec configuration commands. Specifically, a specially crafted IPSec configuration command can trigger an out-of-bounds write condition. This occurs due to insufficient bounds checking when processing user-supplied data, leading to memory corruption. An attacker with the necessary privileges could exploit this to overwrite critical system memory, potentially injecting and executing malicious code.
Affected versions include:
- Fireware OS 11.0 up to and including 11.12.4+541730
- Fireware OS 12.0 up to and including 12.11.4
- Fireware OS 12.5 up to and including 12.5.13
- Fireware OS 2025.1 up to and including 2025.1.2
CVSS Analysis
The CVSS score for CVE-2025-12195 is currently listed as N/A. This may be due to the recent discovery of the vulnerability. Once available, the CVSS score will provide a more precise indication of the severity of the vulnerability, considering factors such as attack vector, attack complexity, privileges required, user interaction, scope, confidentiality impact, integrity impact, and availability impact. We will update this article as soon as the CVSS score is published.
Possible Impact
Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-12195 could have severe consequences, including:
- Arbitrary Code Execution: An attacker could execute arbitrary code on the affected device, gaining control over the system.
- Data Breach: Compromised firewalls can be used to intercept and exfiltrate sensitive data passing through the network.
- Denial of Service (DoS): The vulnerability could be exploited to crash the firewall, disrupting network services.
- Lateral Movement: A compromised firewall can act as a pivot point for attackers to move laterally within the network, compromising other systems.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
WatchGuard has released patches to address this vulnerability. Users are strongly advised to upgrade their Fireware OS to a patched version as soon as possible. Follow these steps to mitigate the risk:
- Identify Affected Systems: Determine which WatchGuard firewalls in your environment are running affected versions of Fireware OS.
- Apply the Patch: Upgrade the Fireware OS on the affected devices to a patched version. Refer to WatchGuard’s advisory for the appropriate upgrade path.
- Review Configuration: After applying the patch, review the firewall configuration to ensure no unauthorized changes have been made.
- Monitor Logs: Closely monitor firewall logs for any suspicious activity that might indicate attempted exploitation.
Contact WatchGuard support for assistance with the upgrade process.
