CVE-2020-12271

Name: CVE-2020-12271
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-04-27T04:15:10.553+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 43.06%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-12271 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. A SQL injection issue was found in SFOS 17.0, 17.1, 17.5, and 18.0 before 2020-04-25 on Sophos XG Firewall devices, as exploited in the wild in April 2020. This affected devices configured with either the administration (HTTPS) service or the User Portal exposed on the WAN zone. CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 43.06% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A SQL injection issue was found in SFOS 17.0, 17.1, 17.5, and 18.0 before 2020-04-25 on Sophos XG Firewall devices, as exploited in the wild in April 2020. This affected devices configured with either the administration (HTTPS) service or the User Portal exposed on the WAN zone. A successful attack may have caused remote code execution that exfiltrated usernames and hashed passwords for the local device admin(s), portal admins, and user accounts used for remote access (but not external Active Directory or LDAP passwords)

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

43.06%

98.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by May 3, 2022.

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Sophos	Sfos	17.0
Sophos	Sfos	17.1
Sophos	Sfos	17.5
Sophos	Sfos	18.0

References

https://community.sophos.com/kb/en-us/135412Vendor Advisory
https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/89.htmlThird Party Advisory
https://news.sophos.com/en-us/2020/04/26/asnarok/Exploit, Vendor Advisory
https://community.sophos.com/kb/en-us/135412Vendor Advisory
https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/89.htmlThird Party Advisory
https://news.sophos.com/en-us/2020/04/26/asnarok/Exploit, Vendor Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-12271US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Apr 27, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-12271?

How severe is CVE-2020-12271?

CVE-2020-12271 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 43.06% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2020-12271?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2020-12271?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

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Source: NVD / NIST