CVE-2025-54164
📋 TL;DR
An out-of-bounds read vulnerability in QNAP operating systems allows remote attackers with administrator credentials to read sensitive memory data. This affects QNAP NAS devices running vulnerable QTS and QuTS hero versions. Attackers could potentially extract secrets like passwords, keys, or other sensitive information from memory.
💻 Affected Systems
- QNAP QTS
- QNAP QuTS hero
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Administrator-level attacker extracts sensitive secrets like encryption keys, passwords, or authentication tokens from memory, leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration.
Likely Case
Attacker with compromised admin credentials reads limited sensitive data from memory, potentially gaining access to additional systems or escalating privileges.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and network segmentation, impact is limited to the specific compromised admin account on affected QNAP device.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires administrator credentials to exploit. Out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities typically require specific knowledge of memory layout.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: QTS 5.2.7.3256 build 20250913 or later, QuTS hero h5.2.7.3256 build 20250913 or later, QuTS hero h5.3.1.3250 build 20250912 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.qnap.com/en/security-advisory/qsa-25-50
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Log into QNAP web interface as administrator. 2. Go to Control Panel > System > Firmware Update. 3. Check for updates and install the latest version. 4. Reboot the NAS when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Admin Access
allLimit administrator account access to trusted IP addresses only
In QNAP web interface: Control Panel > Network & File Services > Telnet/SSH > Allow only the following IP addresses
Disable Unnecessary Services
allTurn off remote access services not in use
In QNAP web interface: Control Panel > Network & File Services > Telnet/SSH > Disable
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate QNAP devices from critical systems
- Enforce strong password policies and multi-factor authentication for all admin accounts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check QNAP firmware version in Control Panel > System > Firmware UpdateCheck Version:
ssh admin@qnap-ip 'cat /etc/config/uLinux.conf | grep version'Verify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version is QTS 5.2.7.3256 build 20250913 or later, or corresponding QuTS hero versions📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual admin login patterns
- Multiple failed admin login attempts followed by success
- Unexpected memory access errors in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from QNAP device after admin login
- Traffic patterns suggesting data exfiltration
SIEM Query:
source="qnap_logs" (event_type="admin_login" AND result="success") | stats count by src_ip, user | where count > threshold