CVE-2025-64075: ZBT WE2001 Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-64075 Overview

A path traversal vulnerability exists in the check_token function of Shenzhen Zhibotong Electronics ZBT WE2001 firmware version 23.09.27. This flaw allows remote attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and perform administrative actions by supplying a crafted session cookie value. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of user-supplied input in the authentication routine, enabling attackers to traverse the file system and circumvent session verification entirely.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can bypass authentication without valid credentials and gain full administrative control over the affected router, potentially compromising network integrity and all connected devices.

Affected Products

• Shenzhen Zhibotong Electronics ZBT WE2001 firmware version 23.09.27
• ZBT WE2001 devices running vulnerable firmware versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-11 - CVE-2025-64075 published to NVD
• 2026-02-11 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-64075

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the check_token function responsible for validating user sessions on the ZBT WE2001 router's web administration interface. When processing session cookie values, the function fails to properly sanitize path traversal sequences such as ../ before performing file system operations.

This weakness (classified as CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) enables attackers to craft malicious cookie values that manipulate file path resolution. By exploiting this flaw, an attacker can redirect the authentication check to arbitrary files on the system, effectively bypassing the session validation mechanism entirely.

The attack is particularly dangerous because it requires no prior authentication and can be executed remotely over the network. Once authentication is bypassed, the attacker gains access to all administrative functions, including configuration changes, firmware updates, and access to sensitive network information.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the absence of proper input sanitization in the check_token function. The function directly uses user-supplied cookie values in file path operations without stripping or validating path traversal characters. This allows attackers to escape the intended session directory and reference arbitrary files, subverting the authentication logic.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and requires no user interaction or prior authentication. An attacker can remotely target the ZBT WE2001 router's web interface by sending HTTP requests with specially crafted session cookies containing path traversal sequences.

The attack flow involves:

1. The attacker identifies a ZBT WE2001 router accessible over the network
2. A malicious HTTP request is crafted with a session cookie containing path traversal sequences (e.g., ../../etc/passwd or similar patterns)
3. The check_token function processes the cookie value without proper sanitization
4. The path traversal sequences cause the authentication check to reference an unintended file
5. Authentication validation is bypassed, granting the attacker administrative access
6. The attacker can now perform any administrative action on the router

For technical details regarding exploitation, see the NeutSec CVE-2025-64075 Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-64075

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests to the router's web interface containing path traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/) in cookie values
• Unauthorized administrative actions or configuration changes on ZBT WE2001 routers
• Unusual access patterns to the router's web management interface from external IP addresses
• Log entries showing authentication success without corresponding valid session creation

Detection Strategies

• Implement network intrusion detection rules to identify HTTP requests containing path traversal patterns in cookie headers targeting ZBT WE2001 devices
• Monitor web server logs on the affected devices for anomalous authentication patterns or requests with malformed session cookies
• Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules to block requests containing directory traversal sequences in cookie values
• Use SentinelOne Singularity to monitor network traffic for exploitation attempts and suspicious authentication bypass patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on ZBT WE2001 routers to capture detailed authentication events
• Implement network segmentation to isolate IoT devices like routers from critical network assets
• Monitor for unauthorized firmware changes or configuration modifications on affected devices
• Establish baseline network behavior for administrative access and alert on deviations

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-64075

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict network access to the ZBT WE2001 web administration interface to trusted IP addresses only
• Place affected devices behind a firewall with strict access controls blocking external access to the management interface
• Consider disabling remote administration features until a patch is available
• Monitor for signs of compromise on affected devices and networks

Patch Information

No official patch information is currently available from the vendor. Organizations should monitor the ZBT WiFi website for firmware updates and security advisories. The NeutSec advisory may contain additional mitigation guidance.

Workarounds

• Disable remote web administration access to the router and only allow local management
• Implement network access control lists (ACLs) to restrict management interface access to specific trusted hosts
• Deploy a reverse proxy with input validation in front of the router's web interface to filter malicious requests
• Consider replacing vulnerable devices with alternative hardware if patches are not forthcoming

# Example: Restrict management access using firewall rules
# Block external access to router management port (example using iptables)
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -s 192.168.1.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 192.168.1.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP