CVE-2023-42135Public exploit

Root code execution via kernel parameter injection

Published Jan 15, 2024 · Updated Jun 17, 2025

Parameter injection in PAX A920Pro and A50 through 11.1.50_20230614 allows physically proximate attackers to execute code as root via USB. The fastboot handler concatenates the attacker-controlled exsn partition value into the kernel argument list without rejecting spaces or extra parameters. Physical USB access and fastboot mode are required, and the published proof of concept boots a custom initroot from the fastboot buffer.

CVSS severity6.8
Medium
EPSS probability0.59%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Parameter injection in PAX A920Pro and A50 through 11.1.50_20230614 allows physically proximate attackers to execute code as root via USB. The fastboot handler concatenates the attacker-controlled exsn partition value into the kernel argument list without rejecting spaces or extra parameters. Physical USB access and fastboot mode are required, and the published proof of concept boots a custom initroot from the fastboot buffer.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-42135
Published
Jan 15, 2024
Updated
Jun 17, 2025
Vendor
PAX Technology
Product
A920Pro
Classifications
CWE-74, CAPEC-549
Attack vector
physical
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 15, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jun 17, 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=0 <=11.1.50_20230614

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorphysical
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

PAX Technology · A920Proversion=0 <=11.1.50_20230614
PAX Technology · A50version=0 <=11.1.50_20230614

Published CVSS scores

6.8CERT.PLCVSS:3.1/AV:P/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.

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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)
Vectorphysical
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-74Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')
CAPEC-549Local Execution of Code

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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