CVE-2025-14733
WatchGuard Firebox Out of Bounds Write Vulnerability
WatchGuard Firebox
An Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability in WatchGuard Fireware OS may allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code. This vulnerability affects both the Mobile User VPN with IKEv2 and the Branch Office VPN using IKEv2 when configured with a dynamic gateway peer.This vulnerability affects Fireware OS 11.10.2 up to and including 11.12.4_Update1, 12.0 up to and including 12.11.5 and 2025.1 up to and including 2025.1.3.
Ransomware groups exploiting CVE-2025-14733
Qilin ransomware was first observed in July of 2022. Qilin Ransomware is written in Golang and supports multiple encryption modes; all of which are controlled by the operator. Qilin actors practice double extortion – demanding payment for a decryptor, as well
Exploitation is attributed to these groups across their recorded activity. It does not follow that every organisation they listed was reached through CVE-2025-14733 — the source data does not record an entry point per incident.
Exploitation status
CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities
Listed by CISA on 19 December 2025. US federal agencies were required to remediate it by 26 December 2025. CISA records this vulnerability as known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
EPSS — exploitation probability
FIRST puts the probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days at 26.5%, which is higher than 97.9% of all scored vulnerabilities. EPSS is a forecast of activity, not a measure of severity, and it is rescored daily.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Recent listings by these groups
Disclosures from the groups above, newest first.
Frequently asked questions
Is CVE-2025-14733 being exploited by ransomware groups?
Yes. CVE-2025-14733 is recorded as exploited by Qilin. Between them these groups account for 2,298 victim disclosures in this database. CISA also records this vulnerability as used in ransomware campaigns.
What does CVE-2025-14733 affect?
CVE-2025-14733 affects WatchGuard Firebox. An Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability in WatchGuard Fireware OS may allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code. This vulnerability affects both the Mobile User VPN with IKEv2 and the Branch Office VPN using IKEv2 when configured with a dynamic gateway peer.This vulnerability affects Fireware OS 11.10.2 up to and including 11.12.4_Update1, 12.0 up to and including 12.11.5 and 2025.1 up to and including 2025.1.3.
How severe is CVE-2025-14733?
CVE-2025-14733 is rated CRITICAL with a CVSS base score of 9.8. EPSS puts the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days at 26.5%, higher than 97.9% of all scored vulnerabilities. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, with a federal remediation deadline of 26 December 2025.
How should organisations respond to CVE-2025-14733?
Apply the vendor patch for WatchGuard Firebox as the first priority, and treat any internet-facing instance as the most urgent. Because this vulnerability is associated with ransomware activity, also review whether the affected systems were reachable before patching, rather than assuming that patching alone closes the incident.