CVE-2020-12271Known exploitationNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated code execution via SQL command insertion

Published Apr 27, 2020 · Updated Oct 21, 2025

SQL injection in Sophos XG Firewall SFOS 17.0, 17.1, 17.5, and 18.0 allows remote attackers to execute commands through WAN services. The pre-authentication flaw inserts attacker-supplied shell commands into a database table, causing the appliance to download, mark executable, and run a Linux shell script. Reachability requires the HTTPS administration service, User Portal, or another service sharing those ports to be exposed on the WAN; exploitation grants appliance code execution and access to locally stored usernames and password hashes.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability42.43%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationReported
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

SQL injection in Sophos XG Firewall SFOS 17.0, 17.1, 17.5, and 18.0 allows remote attackers to execute commands through WAN services. The pre-authentication flaw inserts attacker-supplied shell commands into a database table, causing the appliance to download, mark executable, and run a Linux shell script. Reachability requires the HTTPS administration service, User Portal, or another service sharing those ports to be exposed on the WAN; exploitation grants appliance code execution and access to locally stored usernames and password hashes.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-12271
Published
Apr 27, 2020
Updated
Oct 21, 2025
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-89, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 22, 2020Exploitation reportedAsnarök exploitation of XG Firewall
  2. Apr 27, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  3. Oct 21, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
10.0MITRECVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/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 exploitationReported
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-89Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
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.

Reported exploitation

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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