CVE-2026-40003 USB-based arbitrary memory write vulnerability in ZTE ZX297520V3 soc BootROM
Attackers can achieve unauthorized code execution and bypass Secure Boot via arbitrary memory writes in the ZTE ZX297520V3 BootROM USB download mode.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-40003?
CVE-2026-40003 is a medium-severity memory corruption vulnerability in ZTE ZX297520V3 BootROM, published on 7 May 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
ZTE ZX297520V3 BootROM contains a vulnerability that allows arbitrary memory writes via USB. Attackers can exploit the lack of target address validation in the USB download mode to write data to any location in BootROM runtime memory, thereby overwriting the stack, hijacking the execution flow, bypassing the Secure Boot signature verification mechanism, and achieving unauthorized code execution.
Weakness: CWE-787
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-40003?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Zte Zx297520v3 Firmware.
How do I fix CVE-2026-40003?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-40003 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2026-40003 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-40003 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Public exploit code: 1 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-2jfv-r29r-j6wr.