CVE-2023-35136

Configuration-file disclosure via improper Quagga validation

Published Nov 28, 2023 · Updated Jun 5, 2025

Improper input validation in affected Zyxel firewall firmware allows local authenticated users to read configuration files. The flaw resides in the bundled Quagga package, but Zyxel has not disclosed which input is accepted without validation or how it reaches configuration files. Exploitation requires authenticated local access to the appliance and exposes stored configuration data without reported write or service-interruption impact.

CVSS severity5.5
Medium
EPSS probability0.24%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in affected Zyxel firewall firmware allows local authenticated users to read configuration files. The flaw resides in the bundled Quagga package, but Zyxel has not disclosed which input is accepted without validation or how it reaches configuration files. Exploitation requires authenticated local access to the appliance and exposes stored configuration data without reported write or service-interruption impact.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-35136
Published
Nov 28, 2023
Updated
Jun 5, 2025
Vendor
Zyxel Networks
Product
Zyxel USG FLEX 50(W) Series Firmware
Classifications
CWE-20, T1005
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 28, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jun 5, 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?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=versions 4.16 through 5.37

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Zyxel Networks · Zyxel USG FLEX 50(W) Series Firmwareversion=versions 4.16 through 5.37
Zyxel Networks · Zyxel ATP Series Firmwareversion=versions 4.32 through 5.37
Zyxel Networks · Zyxel USG20(W)-VPN Series Firmwareversion=versions 4.16 through 5.37
Zyxel Networks · Zyxel VPN Series Firmwareversion=versions 4.30 through 5.37
Zyxel Networks · Zyxel USG FLEX Series Firmwareversion=versions 4.50 through 5.37

Published CVSS scores

5.5ZyxelCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation
T1005Data from Local System

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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