# CVE-2020-25223: Sophos SG UTM Remote Code Execution

> Attackers can execute arbitrary commands remotely via the WebAdmin interface of Sophos SG UTM devices.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **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:** 25 Sep 2020
- **Updated:** 21 Oct 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-pwxx-2hrw-72w5

## What is CVE-2020-25223?

CVE-2020-25223 is a critical command injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 25 Sep 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the WebAdmin of Sophos SG UTM before v9.705 MR5, v9.607 MR7, and v9.511 MR11

Weakness: CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-25223?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Sophos Unified Threat Management.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-25223?

No fix has been published for CVE-2020-25223 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 15 Apr 2022.

## Is CVE-2020-25223 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2020-25223 in the wild since at least 25 Mar 2022.

Public exploit code:

- CVE-2020-25223 (github_poc): https://github.com/darrenmartyn/sophucked
- https://github.com/maguireja/CVE-2020-25223 (github_poc): https://github.com/maguireja/CVE-2020-25223
- Sophos UTM WebAdmin SID Command Injection (metasploit)
- Sophos UTM Preauth - Remote Code Execution (nuclei): http/cves/2020/CVE-2020-25223.yaml

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2022-0386](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-0386/): SQL injection in Sophos UTM (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2014-2537](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-2537/): Denial of service in n/a (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2021-25273](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-25273/): Cross-site scripting in Sophos UTM (medium 4.8)
- [CVE-2022-0652](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-0652/): Information disclosure in Sophos UTM (low 3.3)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-25223 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-25223 is a critical command injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 25 Sep 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2020-25223 in the wild since at least 25 Mar 2022.

Affected product: n/a. 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-2020-25223/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-25223/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-25223
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-25223
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-25223

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-25223/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.