CVE-2017-20049Network attack vector

Remote root compromise via privileged CGI execution

Published Jun 15, 2022 · Updated Aug 5, 2024

Improper privilege management in the CGI layer of AXIS OS before 5.65 allows remote attackers to gain root control of affected devices. Affected firmware runs the Boa web service and multiple CGI programs with root privilege instead of a constrained service identity, causing exploitable CGI behavior to execute with full device authority. Network access to the device web interface is sufficient; Axis has not disclosed the specific CGI request or operation that triggers the escalation.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability1.56%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper privilege management in the CGI layer of AXIS OS before 5.65 allows remote attackers to gain root control of affected devices. Affected firmware runs the Boa web service and multiple CGI programs with root privilege instead of a constrained service identity, causing exploitable CGI behavior to execute with full device authority. Network access to the device web interface is sufficient; Axis has not disclosed the specific CGI request or operation that triggers the escalation.

The record

CVE
CVE-2017-20049
Published
Jun 15, 2022
Updated
Aug 5, 2024
Vendor
Axis Communications AB
Product
AXIS OS
Classifications
CWE-269, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 15, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 5, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=All firmware versions prior to 5.65

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Axis Communications AB · AXIS OSversion=All firmware versions prior to 5.65

Published CVSS scores

10.0NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-269Improper Privilege Management
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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