CVE-2025-14733: WatchGuard Fireware OS out-of-bounds write in iked process

CVE-2025-14733 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2025-12-19

WatchGuard Firebox appliances, which are used to secure corporate networks and provide encrypted remote access, contain a critical security flaw in their VPN handling process. An unauthorized person can exploit this weakness over the internet to take full control of the device. This could lead to a total network compromise, data theft, or a complete shutdown of secure remote connections. This vulnerability is reportedly being exploited in the wild.

Technologies: Watchguard Firebox, Watchguard Fireware, Watchguard XTM, Watchguard XTM Appliances. Vendors: Watchguard.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2025-14733 exploited in the wild?
Yes. CVE-2025-14733 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 19 December 2025. Treat it as urgent.
How severe is CVE-2025-14733?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 19 December 2025.
Which products and versions are affected?
Watchguard Firebox Multiple models including M, T, NV, Cloud, and V series; Watchguard Fireware 11.10.2 to 11.12.4_Update1, 12.0 to 12.11.5, 2025.1 to 2025.1.3.
Is there a fix for CVE-2025-14733?
No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.
How is CVE-2025-14733 attacked?
It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.
Am I affected by CVE-2025-14733?
Check whether you run Watchguard Firebox, Watchguard Fireware, Watchguard XTM or one of the others listed at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

Technical details

An out-of-bounds write vulnerability (CWE-787) exists in the 'iked' process of WatchGuard Fireware OS. The flaw is triggered during the handling of IKEv2 protocol messages. It specifically impacts Mobile User VPN with IKEv2 and Branch Office VPN using IKEv2 when configured with a dynamic gateway peer. A remote, unauthenticated attacker can exploit this by sending specially crafted packets to the device, leading to arbitrary code execution with high privileges. The vulnerability has been added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating active exploitation. Patches are available in Fireware OS versions 12.11.6, 12.5.15, and 2025.1.4.

Affected products

  • WatchGuard Fireware OS 11.10.2 to 11.12.4_Update1, 12.0 to 12.11.5, 2025.1 to 2025.1.3
  • WatchGuard Firebox Multiple models including M, T, NV, Cloud, and V series

Timeline

  • 2025-12-18: disclosed: Initial disclosure by WatchGuard
  • 2025-12-18: advisory: Vendor advisory WGSA-2025-00027 published
  • 2025-12-19: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog

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