CVE-2024-29974Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated code execution via symlinked configuration archive

Published Jun 4, 2024 · Updated Aug 2, 2024

Remote code execution in Zyxel NAS326 before 5.21(AAZF.17)C0 and NAS542 before 5.21(ABAG.14)C0 allows remote attackers to run arbitrary code. The file_upload-cgi program converts an uploaded configuration ROM to a tar archive, filters '..' strings, but follows attacker-supplied symbolic links while extracting into /etc/zyxel. No authentication is required; a matching four-character model ID is required, and a malicious crontab can establish persistent code execution after reboot.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability22.78%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Remote code execution in Zyxel NAS326 before 5.21(AAZF.17)C0 and NAS542 before 5.21(ABAG.14)C0 allows remote attackers to run arbitrary code. The file_upload-cgi program converts an uploaded configuration ROM to a tar archive, filters '..' strings, but follows attacker-supplied symbolic links while extracting into /etc/zyxel. No authentication is required; a matching four-character model ID is required, and a malicious crontab can establish persistent code execution after reboot.

The record

CVE
CVE-2024-29974
Published
Jun 4, 2024
Updated
Aug 2, 2024
Vendor
Zyxel Networks
Product
NAS542 Firmware
Classifications
CWE-434, T1190, T1053.003
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 4, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 2, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <5.21\(abag.14\)co
  2. Affected versionversion=< V5.21(ABAG.14)C0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Zyxel Networks · NAS542 Firmwareversion=0 <5.21\(abag.14\)co; version=< V5.21(ABAG.14)C0
Zyxel Networks · NAS326 Firmwareversion=0 <v5.21\(aazf.17\)co; version=< V5.21(AAZF.17)C0

Published CVSS scores

9.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-434Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application
T1053.003Scheduled Task/Job: Cron

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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