Unauthenticated code execution via unchecked IDi copy
Published Sep 17, 2025 · Updated Aug 10, 2026
Out-of-bounds write in the Fireware OS iked process allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through IKEv2 VPN traffic. The ike2_ProcessPayload_CERT function copies an attacker-controlled Identification - Initiator payload into a fixed-size stack buffer without checking its length, so an oversized IKE_AUTH payload overwrites the stack. Reachability is pre-authentication and requires Mobile User VPN with IKEv2 or Branch Office VPN with a dynamic gateway peer; stale dynamic-peer state can remain exposed when a static-peer tunnel is still configured.
Summary
What happened
Out-of-bounds write in the Fireware OS iked process allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through IKEv2 VPN traffic. The ike2_ProcessPayload_CERT function copies an attacker-controlled Identification - Initiator payload into a fixed-size stack buffer without checking its length, so an oversized IKE_AUTH payload overwrites the stack. Reachability is pre-authentication and requires Mobile User VPN with IKEv2 or Branch Office VPN with a dynamic gateway peer; stale dynamic-peer state can remain exposed when a static-peer tunnel is still configured.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-9242
- Published
- Sep 17, 2025
- Updated
- Aug 10, 2026
- Vendor
- WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.
- Product
- Fireware OS
- Classifications
- CWE-787, T1190
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Sep 17, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Oct 21, 2025Exploitation reportedWatchGuard reported active exploitation
- Aug 10, 2026Record 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.
- Affected versionversion=11.0 <=11.12.4+541730
- Affected versionversion=12.0 <12.11.4
- Affected versionversion=12.0 <12.3.1+722811
- Affected versionversion=12.0 <12.5.13
- Affected versionversion=2025.0 <2025.1.1
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Public exploit references
- watchTowr WatchGuard IKEv2 RCE artifactweaponized · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Reported exploitation
- WatchGuard reported active exploitationreported exploitation
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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