How severe is CVE-2020-13365?

CVE-2020-13365 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-13365 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (58th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-13365?

CVE-2020-13365 primarily affects Zyxel Nas326 Firmware. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-13365?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2020-13365 published?

CVE-2020-13365 was published on 2020-08-06 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-13365

CVE-2020-13365 is a high-severity vulnerability in Zyxel Nas326 Firmware with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-287.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
CVSS v2: 9.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (58th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Zyxel Nas326 Firmware
Published: 2020-08-06
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Certain Zyxel products have a locally accessible binary that allows a non-root user to generate a password for an undocumented user account that can be used for a TELNET session as root. This affects NAS520 V5.21(AASZ.4)C0, V5.21(AASZ.0)C0, V5.11(AASZ.3)C0, and V5.11(AASZ.0)C0; NAS542 V5.11(ABAG.0)C0, V5.20(ABAG.1)C0, and V5.21(ABAG.3)C0; NSA325 v2_V4.81(AALS.0)C0 and V4.81(AAAJ.1)C0; NSA310 4.22(AFK.0)C0 and 4.22(AFK.1)C0; NAS326 V5.21(AAZF.8)C0, V5.11(AAZF.4)C0, V5.11(AAZF.2)C0, and V5.11(AAZF.3)C0; NSA310S V4.75(AALH.2)C0; NSA320S V4.75(AANV.2)C0 and V4.75(AANV.1)C0; NSA221 V4.41(AFM.1)C0; and NAS540 V5.21(AATB.5)C0 and V5.21(AATB.3)C0.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-13365?: Certain Zyxel products have a locally accessible binary that allows a non-root user to generate a password for an undocumented user account that can be used for a TELNET session as root. This affects NAS520 V5.21(AASZ.4)C0, V5.21(AASZ.0)C0, V5.11(AASZ.3)C0, and V5.11(AASZ.0)C0; NAS542 V5.11(ABAG.0)C0, V5.20(ABAG.1)C0, and V5.21(ABAG.3)C0; NSA325 v2_V4.81(AALS.0)C0 and V4.81(AAAJ.1)C0; NSA310 4.22(AFK.0)C0 and 4.22(AFK.1)C0; NAS326 V5.21(AAZF.8)C0, V5.11(AAZF.4)C0, V5.11(AAZF.2)C0, and V5.11(AAZF.3)C0; NSA310S V4.75(AALH.2)C0; NSA320S V4.75(AANV.2)C0 and V4.75(AANV.1)C0; NSA221 V4.41(AFM.1)C0; and NAS540 V5.21(AATB.5)C0 and V5.21(AATB.3)C0.
How severe is CVE-2020-13365?: CVE-2020-13365 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-13365 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (58th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-13365?: CVE-2020-13365 primarily affects Zyxel Nas326 Firmware. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-13365?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-13365 published?: CVE-2020-13365 was published on 2020-08-06 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (4)

cpe:2.3:o:zyxel:nas326_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:zyxel:nas520_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:zyxel:nas540_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:zyxel:nas542_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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