CVE-2021-20025Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Remote root access via static SSH credential

Published May 13, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Hard-coded credentials in SonicWall Email Security Virtual Appliance 10.0.9 and earlier allow remote attackers to obtain root access via SSH. A built-in root account uses an undocumented fixed password, and the SSH management service accepts it on tested 10.0.9 builds. The account is reachable only from the trusted domain on a fresh installation not connected to MySonicWall, where it grants full appliance control.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.36%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Hard-coded credentials in SonicWall Email Security Virtual Appliance 10.0.9 and earlier allow remote attackers to obtain root access via SSH. A built-in root account uses an undocumented fixed password, and the SSH management service accepts it on tested 10.0.9 builds. The account is reachable only from the trusted domain on a fresh installation not connected to MySonicWall, where it grants full appliance control.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-20025
Published
May 13, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
SonicWall
Product
Email Security Virtual Appliance
Classifications
CWE-798, T1078.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 13, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 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=10.0.9 and earlier

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

SonicWall · Email Security Virtual Applianceversion=10.0.9 and earlier

Published CVSS scores

6.9NIST NVDAV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/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 exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-798Use of Hard-coded Credentials
T1078.001Valid Accounts: Default Accounts

Public exploit references

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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