CVE-2021-21725

Authenticated file disclosure across directory boundaries

Published Mar 5, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Incorrect authorization in ZTE ZXHN H196Q V9.1.0C2 allows remote authenticated users to read files outside authorized directories. ZTE states only that specific operations cross directory authorization boundaries; it does not disclose the affected interface, path-handling logic, or file-access routine. Exploitation requires low-privilege access from an adjacent network and exposes file contents without reported modification or service interruption.

CVSS severity4.8
Medium
EPSS probability0.49%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Incorrect authorization in ZTE ZXHN H196Q V9.1.0C2 allows remote authenticated users to read files outside authorized directories. ZTE states only that specific operations cross directory authorization boundaries; it does not disclose the affected interface, path-handling logic, or file-access routine. Exploitation requires low-privilege access from an adjacent network and exposes file contents without reported modification or service interruption.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-21725
Published
Mar 5, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
ZTE Corporation
Product
ZXHN H196Q
Classifications
CWE-863, T1005
Attack vector
adjacent
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 5, 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=V9.1.0C2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectoradjacent
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

ZTE Corporation · ZXHN H196Qversion=V9.1.0C2

Published CVSS scores

2.7NIST NVDAV:A/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:N/A:N
5.7NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
4.8ZTE CorporationCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

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.

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No observations available

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

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-863Incorrect Authorization
T1005Data from Local System

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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