WatchGuard Fireware OS IKEv2 Out-of-Bounds Write
CVE-2025-9242 is a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the WatchGuard Fireware OS iked process, the Internet Key Exchange daemon used to establish IPsec VPN tunnels. The flaw affects WatchGuard Firebox appliances running Fireware OS 11.10.2 through 11.12.4_Update1, 12.0 through 12.11.3, and 2025.1. According to the provided content, the vulnerable code path is reachable during the IKE handshake and stems from a missing length check on an identification buffer, with certificate validation occurring only after the vulnerable operation. As a result, a remote unauthenticated attacker can trigger memory corruption before authentication. The issue affects both Mobile User VPN with IKEv2 and Branch Office VPN using IKEv2 when configured with a dynamic gateway peer.
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Impact, mitigation & remediation
What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.
Impact
What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.
Mitigation
If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.
Remediation
Patch, then assume compromise.
Exploits
1 valid exploit after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos (2 hidden).
This repository contains a Python exploit script (watchTowr-vs-WatchGuard-CVE-2025-9242.py) and a README.md. The exploit targets WatchGuard Firebox/WatchGuard OS devices vulnerable to CVE-2025-9242, an unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability in the IKEv2 service. The script can both detect vulnerable firmware versions and, if instructed, deliver a custom ROP chain and shellcode payload to achieve code execution. The exploit operates over the network, targeting UDP port 500 (IKEv2) on the remote device. The README provides usage instructions, affected versions, and example command lines. The code is operational, with hardcoded ROP gadgets for specific firmware versions, and requires the attacker to specify both the target and local host/port for exploitation. No external C2 or hardcoded domains are present; all endpoints are user-supplied or local. The repository is focused, with clear separation between documentation and exploit code.
Affected products & vendors
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Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.
Recent activity
159 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.
Referenced only as a nuclei template whose CPE format was corrected by adding a missing 13th field.
Specific vulnerability template referenced in a nuclei-templates pull request for CPE format correction.
Critical WatchGuard Fireware out-of-bounds write vulnerability added to KEV due to active exploitation; enables no-login attacks.
An out-of-bounds write vulnerability in WatchGuard Firebox firmware, enabling remote code execution.
The version that knows your environment.
Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.
Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.
Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.
YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.
Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.
Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.