CVE-2022-23176: WatchGuard Firebox and XTM Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2022-23176 is a high (CVSS 9.0) vulnerability in WatchGuard Firebox and XTM. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 11-04-2022. EPSS estimates a 10.80% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 95.8% of scored vulnerabilities.
Timeline
- 24-02-2022PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 11-04-2022Added to CISA KEVWatchGuard Firebox and XTM Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
- 02-05-2022CISA remediation dueApply updates per vendor instructions.
- 21-10-2025Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
WatchGuard Firebox and XTM appliances allow a remote attacker with unprivileged credentials to access the system with a privileged management session via exposed management access. This vulnerability impacts Fireware OS before 12.7.2_U1, 12.x before 12.1.3_U3, and 12.2.x through 12.5.x before 12.5.7_U3.
CVSS metrics
3 scores · 2 sources · 2 versions- NVDNIST8.8HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS trend
Probability
10.80%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
96%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
-1.89 pp
From 12.69% on 21-09-2026
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogs
CISA KEVListed- Added
- 11-04-2022
- Federal due date
- 02-05-2022
CISA required action
Apply updates per vendor instructions. nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-23176
Public exploits
0 foundNo public exploits indexed.
Weaknesses
CWE · root causeNo weakness data has been published for this record.
Affected systems
Watchguard1 product
- fireware≥ 12.0.0, < 12.1.3 | ≥ 12.2.0, < 12.5.7 | 12.1.3 | 12.1.3:u1 | 12.1.3:u2 | 12.5.7 | 12.5.7:u1 | 12.5.7:u2 | 12.7.2
1 vendor · 1 product
References
6 links- www.watchguard.com/support/release-notes/fireware/12/en-US/EN_ReleaseNotes_Fireware_12_7/index.htmlX Refsource CONFIRMRelease NotesVendor Advisory
- www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-23176Government ResourceUS Government Resource