# CVE-2020-2506: QNAP Helpdesk Improper Access Control

> Attackers can exploit improper access control in QNAP Helpdesk to gain privileges or read sensitive information.

- **Severity:** High 7.3 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 25 Mar 2022 (CISA KEV)
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 3 Feb 2021
- **Updated:** 21 Oct 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-vph4-5mf4-28v5

## What is CVE-2020-2506?

CVE-2020-2506 is a high-severity missing authorization vulnerability in QNAP Systems Inc. Helpdesk, published on 3 Feb 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The vulnerability have been reported to affect earlier versions of QTS. If exploited, this improper access control vulnerability could allow attackers to compromise the security of the software by gaining privileges, or reading sensitive information. This issue affects: QNAP Systems Inc. Helpdesk versions prior to 3.0.3.

Weakness: CWE-284 (Improper Access Control)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-2506?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Qnap Helpdesk.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-2506?

No fix has been published for CVE-2020-2506 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 15 Apr 2022.

## Is CVE-2020-2506 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2020-2506 in the wild since at least 25 Mar 2022.

## Other vulnerabilities in QNAP Systems Inc. Helpdesk

- [CVE-2020-2507](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-2507/): command injection vulnerability in Helpdesk (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2020-2500](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-2500/): Hardcoded credentials in Helpdesk (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2018-0714](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-0714/): Command injection in Helpdesk in QTS (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-28814](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-28814/): Improper Access Control Vulnerability in Helpdesk (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2024-50394](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-50394/): Helpdesk (high 7.7)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-2506 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-2506 is a high-severity missing authorization vulnerability in QNAP Systems Inc. Helpdesk, published on 3 Feb 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2020-2506 in the wild since at least 25 Mar 2022.

Affected product: QNAP Systems Inc. Helpdesk. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-2506/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-2506/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-2506
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-2506
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-2506

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-2506/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.